Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Plants

Book excerpt: Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Plants: An Evaluation of Cyto/Morpho-physiological, Biochemical and Molecular Responses, Volume Five in the Nanomaterial-Plant Interactions series, reviews the latest research on toxicological effects of using nanotechnology in plants. Key themes include analyzing plant exposure to nanomaterials, mechanisms of toxicity of nanoparticles to plants, and effects, uptake and translocation of various different nanoparticles. This will be an essential read for any scientist or researcher looking to assess and understand the potential toxicological risks associated with plant nanotechnology. To date, nanotechnology is considered one of the most promising areas of research due to the widespread applications of nanomaterials in plant science and agriculture. However, extensive use of nano-based products raises concerns regarding their toxicity in crop plants, their environmental impact and potential consequences to humans via the food chain. - Discusses environmental concerns raised by the extensive use of nanotechnology - Highlights the impact of plants treated with nanoparticles on nutritional status - Reviews major challenges for assessing the toxicity of nanomaterials in plants