Nanovehicles for Plant Modifications towards Pest- and Disease-Resistance Traits

• Published in: Trends in plant science Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 198 - 212
• Main Authors: Kumar, Sandeep, Nehra, Monika, Dilbaghi, Neeraj, Marrazza, Giovanna, Tuteja, Satish K., Kim, Ki-Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Agriculture; biomolecule delivery; Biomolecules; Cell walls; Crop improvement; Crops, Agricultural; Disease Resistance; Gene transfer; genetic engineering; Genetic transformation; Humans; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; nanovehicles; Organelles; Pest resistance; Pests; Physiochemistry; phytotoxicity; plant modification; biomolecule delivery; phytotoxicity; plant modification; pest resistance; genetic engineering; nanovehicles
• ISSN: 1360-1385; 1878-4372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2019.10.007

In agriculture, plant transformation is a versatile platform for crop improvement with the aim of increased pest resistance and an improved nutrient profile. Nanotechnology can overcome several challenges that face conventional methods of gene delivery. Specifically, nanomaterials offer an optimal platform for biomolecule delivery with unique physiochemical properties as well as the ability to traverse the challenging barrier of the plant cell wall. We review the potential of diverse nanovehicles for biomolecule delivery in plant systems to obtain desired genetic traits. The efficacy of nanoparticles against pests or pathogens is also explored, as well as the interaction of nanovehicles with plant organelles, with due consideration of the effects and toxic profile of nanoparticles. To enhance crop productivity, genetic engineering is an important technique for introducing traits of interest into plant species.The desired trait can provide increased pest resistance and an improved nutrient profile, ultimately ensuring food security.Compared with conventional methods of biomolecule delivery, modern nanotechnology offers high efficiency and diverse cargo delivery options.The unique properties of nanomaterials, such as tunable physicochemical properties and the ability to traverse the plant cell wall, can be exploited to deliver species-dependent biomolecules.Nanoparticles are also effective as micronutrients and as agents against pests or bacterial infections.