Nanotechnology: A New Approach for Reducing Heavy Metal Toxicity in Plants

Abstract

Nano-technology becomes a key technology of 21st century due to endow with immense and wide range applications in several interdisciplinary research fields. Ample literature is available on the individual effect of nanoparticles (NPs) and plant responses, whereas, they also interact with heavy metals (HMs) present in the environment. To date, very limited information is available on the systematic investigation regarding the probability of plant exposure to NPs under heavy metal stress conditions, particularly in context to the use of engineered NPs (ENPs) for reducing heavy metal toxicity. Furthermore, there is a need to explore the interactive mechanism of NPs-metals (NPs-HMs complex) including their uptake, localization, and fate in plants at physiological and molecular level. In this brief review, an attempt has been made to provide some aspects related to the possible mechanism of ENPs in the alleviation of metal toxicity in plants. Besides, an update on ENPs characterization, synthesis, uptake, and translocation was also discussed. This review will help to understand the nature of NPs-HMs complex and its potential to design innovative technologies over heavy metal free ecosystem development.