Recent Advances in Nano-Enabled Seed Treatment Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture: Challenges, Risk Assessment, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Agro seeds are vulnerable to environmental stressors, adversely affecting seed vigor, crop growth, and crop productivity. Different agrochemical-based seed treatments enhance seed germination, but they can also cause damage to the environment; therefore, sustainable technologies such as nano-based agrochemicals are urgently needed. Nanoagrochemicals can reduce the dose-dependent toxicity of seed treatment, thereby improving seed viability and ensuring the controlled release of nanoagrochemical active ingredients However, the applications of nanoagrochemicals to plants in the field raise concerns about nanomaterial safety, exposure levels, and toxicological implications to the environment and human health. In the present comprehensive review, the development, scope, challenges, and risk assessments of nanoagrochemicals on seed treatment are discussed. Moreover, the implementation obstacles for nanoagrochemicals use in seed treatments, their commercialization potential, and the need for policy regulations to assess possible risks are also discussed. Based on our knowledge, this is the first time that we have presented legendary literature to readers in order to help them gain a deeper understanding of upcoming nanotechnologies that may enable the development of future generation seed treatment agrochemical formulations, their scope, and potential risks associated with seed treatment.

Keywords: Agro seeds; Environmental seed stressors; Nanoagrochemicals; Risk regulations; Toxicological implications.

Fig. 1

Application of organic–inorganic nanomaterials in seed germination and plant development. a Nanoparticles’ properties (such as size, shape, surface charges, composition, and concentration) affecting the seed interaction. b Surface-engineered nanoparticles with the desirable properties for seed treatments. c Nanoparticles induced seed metabolism. d Nanoparticles effect for the improved growth and establishment of plants

Fig. 2

Role of nanoagrochemicals and nanofertilizers in seed treatment. a Characteristics of nanopesticides, such as enhanced stability, control, and targeted delivery of agrochemicals, assist the seed in effectively protecting itself from pathogens and pests during germination. b Nanofertilizers compositions (Se, Zn, N, P, K, Mo, etc.) providing the nutrient-rich element for enhanced seed protection, enhanced stress tolerance, and fulfilling nutrient deficiency in the soil for the effective seed germination

Fig. 3

Phytosynthesized silver nanoparticles enhance aged rice seeds’ germination and starch metabolism. a Seeds without silver nanoparticle priming treatment have lower metabolic activity because of slow water uptake, and starch is hydrolyzed slowly; as a result, sugar levels are low in the initial stage of imbibition, resulting in slow seed germination and growth. b Silver nanoparticle seed priming enhances seed germination. This is a reprinted image of Ref. [119] with permission

Fig. 4

Next-generation nanoagrochemicals for enhancing seed germination (nanoagrochemicals with a wide range of morphologies and structures such as nanomicelles, nanogels, porous silica nanoemulsion, nanosuspension, nanoclay providing controlling stability, solubility, bioavailability, and controlled release of agrochemicals for enhanced seed germinations)

Fig. 5

Possible risks associated with nanoagrochemicals-based seed treatments (nanomaterials which made their way into wastewater and soil can contaminate water resource and increases soil pollution. A wide range of soil microbiomes and their nitrogen fixation, mineralization, and plant growth-promoting processes may adversely impact by nanomaterials. A nanomaterial can enter the body of an aquatic organism and livestock can seep into water bodies and enter the food chain and ultimately effecting the human health)