Genotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles in Plants and Underlying Mechanism
摘要
In recent years, nanotechnology has made significant strides, finding widespread applications in various industries. However, this progress has resulted in the unintentional release of nanomaterials into the environment and ecosystems. One commonly used nanomaterial in this regard is silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), especially in agriculture. As plants are the foundation of ecosystems and the primary source of sustenance for humans, it is crucial to understand the impact of AgNPs on plant growth and development to assess potential risks to the environment and food safety. This chapter summarizes important findings regarding the uptake, movement, and accumulation of AgNPs in plants, elucidating their harmful effects on various levels such as morphological, physiological, cellular, and molecular. It also explores the mechanisms through which AgNPs induce toxicity in plants and discusses the strategies plants employ to tolerate and counteract these adverse effects. Despite the extensive use of AgNPs, particularly in agriculture, it is essential for the scientific community to acknowledge their potential harm to crop growth and plant development. The continued use of AgNPs in agriculture could disrupt plant biochemical and physiological processes, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of their toxic effects on crop plants to make informed decisions. This chapter provides the necessary knowledge to comprehend the complex interactions between AgNPs and crop plants, contributing to the assessment of environmental risks to plant, human, and animal health.