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Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple crop for more than 35% of the global population. It experiences yield reductions exceeding 50% due to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, cold, waterlogging, and heavy metal toxicity. These challenges are further compounded by biotic threats, including fungal pathogens, insects, and viruses, particularly under the pressures of climate change. This chapter critically examines the evolution, mechanisms, and applications of nanotechnology to enhance wheat stress tolerance. It traces developments from Feynman’s 1959 vision to recent advances in nanomaterial synthesis (physical, chemical, and green methods), characterization techniques (TEM, DLS, and XRD), and delivery systems (seed nanopriming, foliar sprays, and soil amendments). Metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles (ZnO, TiO2, Ag, and Fe3O4) have been shown to modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, upregulate antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and POD), improve nutrient uptake (such as the K+/Na+ ratio), stabilize photosynthetic machinery, and reprogram stress-responsive genes through omics-based pathways. Pot and greenhouse studies report enhanced germination, biomass, chlorophyll content, and grain yield under salinity, drought, and freezing conditions. However, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibit dose-dependent phytotoxicity and genotype-specific effects. While synergies with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and meta-analyses confirm the benefits of Fe-, Ti-, and Zn-based nanomaterials, several limitations remain. These include challenges in scaling up from laboratory to field conditions, uncertainties regarding nanomaterial fate (uptake, translocation, and persistence), impacts on soil microbiomes, regulatory gaps (such as EFSA guidelines), and toxicity risks. Addressing these issues requires standardized field trials, comprehensive life-cycle assessments, safe-by-design formulations, and the integration of “nano-breeding” with CRISPR technologies to ensure equitable and sustainable deployment.

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Nanotechnology Applications for Enhancing Stress Tolerance in Wheat: Past, Present, and Future Prospects

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • M. D. Oak,
  • J. M. Rajwade

摘要

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple crop for more than 35% of the global population. It experiences yield reductions exceeding 50% due to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, cold, waterlogging, and heavy metal toxicity. These challenges are further compounded by biotic threats, including fungal pathogens, insects, and viruses, particularly under the pressures of climate change. This chapter critically examines the evolution, mechanisms, and applications of nanotechnology to enhance wheat stress tolerance. It traces developments from Feynman’s 1959 vision to recent advances in nanomaterial synthesis (physical, chemical, and green methods), characterization techniques (TEM, DLS, and XRD), and delivery systems (seed nanopriming, foliar sprays, and soil amendments). Metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles (ZnO, TiO2, Ag, and Fe3O4) have been shown to modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, upregulate antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and POD), improve nutrient uptake (such as the K+/Na+ ratio), stabilize photosynthetic machinery, and reprogram stress-responsive genes through omics-based pathways. Pot and greenhouse studies report enhanced germination, biomass, chlorophyll content, and grain yield under salinity, drought, and freezing conditions. However, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibit dose-dependent phytotoxicity and genotype-specific effects. While synergies with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and meta-analyses confirm the benefits of Fe-, Ti-, and Zn-based nanomaterials, several limitations remain. These include challenges in scaling up from laboratory to field conditions, uncertainties regarding nanomaterial fate (uptake, translocation, and persistence), impacts on soil microbiomes, regulatory gaps (such as EFSA guidelines), and toxicity risks. Addressing these issues requires standardized field trials, comprehensive life-cycle assessments, safe-by-design formulations, and the integration of “nano-breeding” with CRISPR technologies to ensure equitable and sustainable deployment.