Nanotechnology emerges as an important way to safeguard global food security amid the escalating challenges posed by the expansion of the global population and the impacts of climate change. The perfect fusion of this breakthrough technology with traditional agriculture promises to revolutionize the way agriculture is traditionally practiced and provide effective solutions to the myriad of challenges in agriculture. Particularly noteworthy are the applications of nano-fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, which have become milestones in sustainable agriculture and offer lasting alternatives to traditional methods. This review meticulously explores the key role of nano-fertilizers and pesticides in advancing sustainable agriculture. By focusing on the dynamic development of nanotechnology in the field of sustainable agriculture and its ability to address the overarching issue of global food security, this review aims to shed light on the transformative potential of nanotechnology to pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future for agriculture.

This article explores the emerging field of nanomedicine as a drug delivery system, aimed at enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of active pharmaceutical ingredients in medicinal plants. The traditional methods of applying medicinal plants present several limitations, such as low bioavailability, poor solubility, challenges in accurately controlling drug dosage, and inadequate targeting. Nanoformulations represent an innovative approach in drug preparation that employs nanotechnology to produce nanoscale particles or carriers, which are designed to overcome these limitations. Nanoformulations offer distinct advantages, significantly enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of drugs, particularly for the poorly soluble components of medicinal plants. These formulations effectively enhance solubility, thereby facilitating better absorption and utilization by the human body, which in turn improves drug efficacy. Furthermore, nanomedicine enables targeted drug delivery, ensuring precise administration to the lesion site and minimizing side effects on healthy tissues. Additionally, nanoformulations can regulate drug release rates, extend the duration of therapeutic action, and enhance the stability of treatment effects. However, nanoformulations present certain limitations and potential risks; their stability and safety require further investigation, particularly regarding the potential toxicity with long-term use. Nevertheless, nanomaterials demonstrate substantial potential in augmenting the efficacy of active pharmaceutical ingredients in medicinal plants, offering novel approaches and methodologies for their development and application.

The use of nanotechnology to pre-treat crop seeds through seed treatments for enhancing their resistance to abiotic stresses is a promising and sustainable approach. This study demonstrates for the first time the potential of nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) nanoparticles (NPs) in improving the tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.) exposed to drought and salt stress conditions. This study fills the current gap in understanding whether metal ferrite nanoparticles can mitigate abiotic stresses in crops, especially under hydric and saline stress. In this study, NiFe₂O₄ NPs were used as seed pretreatments to enhance the resistance of maize (Zea mays L.) experiencing drought and salt stress. We conducted a 7 day germination experiment and a 3-week seedling growth experiment to assess the impact of NiFe₂O₄ NPs on key growth parameters such as seed germination, seedling vigor, root and shoot length, and biomass accumulation. The findings indicated that under drought conditions, 40 mg L⁻¹ NiFe₂O₄ NPs was the most effective concentration, leading to a substantial increase in the germination rate by 90%. Under salt stress, 20 mg L⁻¹ was the optimal concentration, which resulted in a significant increase in seedling vigor by 521%, shoot length by 177%, and so on. In addition, NiFe₂O₄ NPs exhibited peroxidase (POD)-like activity, which could increase the antioxidant capacity of maize seedlings, thereby enhancing their stress tolerance. These results offer a theoretical foundation for the use of NiFe₂O₄ NPs in agricultural practices and highlight their unique potential for promoting plant resistance and sustainable agricultural practices. Although these results are promising, extensive research is needed to comprehensively elucidate the mechanisms through which NiFe₂O₄ NPs enhance stress tolerance. Future research should explore the prolonged effects of NiFe₂O₄ NPs on the growth of plants and yield, their potential environmental impacts, and their broader applicability. In addition, there is still a need to explore the interplay between NiFe₂O₄ NPs and other biotic or abiotic factors to optimize their application in agricultural systems.

Nanotechnology has been a source of innovation in various fields in recent years, and its application in agriculture has attracted much attention, particularly for its potential to enhance crop growth and optimize nutritional quality. This study systematically investigated the effects of nickel ferrite nanoparticles (NiFe₂O₄ NPs) on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) growth, nutrient dynamics, and biochemical responses, highlighting their potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional fertilizers. The results showed that an optimum concentration of 50 mg/kg soil significantly improved photosynthetic efficiency, biomass accumulation, seed yield, and nutritional quality, with 1000 seed weight and total yield increasing by 12.3% and 15.6%, respectively. In addition, we hypothesized that NiFe₂O₄ NPs would activate the antioxidant system and increase plant resistance. According to the risk assessment, the target hazard quotient (THQ = 0.081) is well below the safety threshold of 1. These findings provide strong evidence for the application of NiFe₂O₄ NPs as next-generation nano-fertilizers, offering a dual advantage of improved agronomic performance and biosafety. However, further research is needed to optimize their application strategies and assess potential long-term environmental impacts.

Iron-based metal–organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) are widely used for agricultural chemical delivery due to their high loading capacity, and they also have the potential to provide essential iron for plant growth. Therefore, they hold significant promise for agricultural applications. Evaluating the plant biotoxicity of Fe-MOFs is crucial for optimizing their use in agriculture. In this study, we used the natural biomacromolecule carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to encapsulate the Fe-MOF NH₂-MIL-101 (Fe) (MIL). Through hydroponic experiments, we investigated the biotoxic effects of Fe-MOFs on rice before and after CMC modification. The results show that the accumulation of iron in rice is dependent on the dose and the exposure concentration of Fe-MOFs. CMC modification (MIL@CMC) can reduce the release rate of Fe ions from Fe-MOFs in aqueous solutions with different pH values (5 and 7). Furthermore, MIL@CMC treatment significantly increases the absorption of iron by both the aboveground and root parts of rice. MIL@CMC significantly alleviated the growth inhibition of rice seedlings and increased the aboveground biomass of rice under medium- to high-exposure conditions. Specifically, in rice roots, MIL induced a more intense oxidative stress response, with significant increases in the activities of related antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POD, and SOD) and MDA content. Our results demonstrated that the encapsulation of NH₂-MIL-101(Fe) using CMC effectively alleviated oxidative damage and promoted the uptake and growth of iron in rice. These findings suggest that rational modification can have a positive effect on reducing the potential phytotoxicity of MOFs and improving their biosafety in agricultural applications.

Application of nanofertilizers in agriculture to enhance crop yield and nutritional quality under environmental stress, ensuring agricultural safety and output integrity.