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Agriculture is an important source of human food. However, current agricultural practices need modernizing and strengthening to fulfill the increasing food requirements of the growing worldwide population. Genome editing (GE) technology has been used to produce plants with improved yields and nutritional value as well as with higher resilience to h...
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... (iii) nanocarriers help plant breeding by delivering materials into plant cells for modification, allowing gene-editing tools such as CRISPR-Cas9 to improve specific attributes, such as drought tolerance or pest resistance; 107 seed nanopriming, which is the coating of seed with different types of nanomaterials, significantly increases seed performance, improving germination rates, stronger seedlings, and overall better crop yields 108 (iv) soil improvement and remediation using nanoparticles such as zerovalent iron to bind and neutralize pollutants, decontaminating polluted areas. Moreover, titanium dioxide nanoparticles break down pollutants under sunlight; 109 (v) smart coatings and packaging embedded with nanoparticles can elicit the release of pesticides in response to environmental triggers, enhancing protection against pests or diseases. ...
... Genomic editing can target key regulatory genes involved in stress response pathways, enabling the development of plants with improved tolerance without affecting other desirable traits (Ahmar et al. 2022). This precise editing is a significant advancement over traditional breeding techniques, where introducing stress tolerance often comes with trade-offs in yield or quality (Ahmar et al. 2021b). ...
Climate change has exacerbated the rate and intensity of abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity, posing significant threats to the crop growth and yield. This review comprehensively explores recent physiochemical and molecular approaches to abiotic stress tolerance in plants. It highlights the complex physiological adjustments, including stomatal regulation, osmotic balance, and altered growth patterns, that plants undergo in response to environmental stressors. The review delves into the biochemical pathways involved in stress response, notably the glyoxalase system and ascorbate-glutathione pathway, emphasizing their roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis and detoxifying reactive oxygen species. A significant portion of the review is dedicated to elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying plant stress tolerance, focusing on the modulation of gene expression, regulation of stress-responsive genes, and the potential of genetic engineering to enhance resilience. We also discuss the contribution of secondary metabolites and both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in mitigating the adverse effects of stress. Moreover, the review addresses the advancements in technological tools that have revolutionized our understanding of stress physiology, including genomic editing and transcriptomic analyses. The comprehensive synthesis of current research findings provides valuable insights into the development of innovative strategies to enhance plant tolerance to abiotic stress, contributing significantly to the field of sustainable agriculture and global food security in the era of climate change.
... There is general agreement that crop breeding creates new, superior crop types with desirable genetic features (Ahmar et al., 2020). Various molecular and conventional techniques, including functional genetic selection, genomic tools, whole-genome sequence-based approaches, soma clonal variations, mutagenesis breeding, and physical mapping, are used in crop breeding (Ahmar et al., 2021). Nanotechnology can accelerate crop breeding and increase its accuracy ( Fig. 10.2). ...
... As plants are considered a prime biotic component of terrestrial ecosystems, a careful exploration of plant-microplastic interactions and associated changes at all levels is highly crucial (Lee et al., 2022;. Nanotechnology application in agriculture has been increasing over recent years and constitutes a valuable tool in reaching the goal of sustainable food production worldwide (Ahmar et al., 2021;Wahab et al., 2023). A wide array of nanomaterials has been used to develop strategies of delivery of bioactive compounds aimed at boosting the production and protection of crops (Irshad et al., 2021;Patowary et al., 2023). ...
The emergence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics (MPs) as pollutants in agricultural soils is increasingly alarming, presenting significant toxic threats to soil ecosystems. Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.), a plant of significant medicinal and culinary value, is increasingly subjected to environmental stressors that threaten its growth and productivity. This situation is particularly acute given the well-documented toxicity of chromium (Cr), which has been shown to adversely affect plant biomass and escalate risks to the productivity of such economically and therapeutically important species. The present study was conducted to investigate the individual effects of different levels of PVC− MPs (0, 2, and 4 mg L − 1) and Cr (0, 150, and 300 mg kg − 1) on various aspects of plant growth. Specifically, we examined growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange attributes, oxidative stress responses, antioxidant compound activity (both enzymatic and nonenzymatic), gene expression, sugar content, nutritional status, organic acid exudation, and Cr accumulation in different parts of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.) seedlings, which were also exposed to varying levels of titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanoparticles (NPs) (0, 25, and 50 µg mL − 1). Results from the present study showed that the increasing levels of Cr and PVC− MPs in soils significantly decreased plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange attributes, sugars, and nutritional contents from the roots and shoots of the plants. Conversely, increasing levels of Cr and PVC− MPs in the soil increased oxidative stress indicators in term of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and electrolyte leakage, and also increased organic acid exudation pattern in the roots of T. ammi seedlings. Interestingly, the application of TiO 2 − NPs counteracted the toxicity of Cr and PVC− MPs in T. ammi seedlings, leading to greater growth and biomass. This protective effect is facilitated by the NPs' ability to sequester reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing oxidative stress and lowering Cr concentrations in both the roots and shoots of the plants. Our research findings indicated that the application of TiO 2 − NPs has been shown to enhance the resilience of T. ammi seedlings to Cr and PVC− MPs toxicity, leading to not only improved biomass but also a healthier physiological state of the plants. This was demonstrated by a more balanced exudation of organic acids, which is a critical response mechanism to metal stress.
... Researchers have significantly focused on plant genome engineering because the strategy can be used to produce plants with high functionality, contributing to sustainable development goals [1,2]. Gene transfer methods, such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, biolistic particleprojectile bombardment, and polyethylene glycol (PEG)based membrane fusion, have been extensively studied to rapidly and efficiently transform exogenous DNA fragments (which harbor gene expression cassettes that contain biomolecules of interest) into plant genomes [3,4]. Nanoparticle delivery systems that use carrier molecules and cargo DNA complexes, such as DNA nanostructures [5], carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [6,7], and peptides [8][9][10], have been extensively developed. ...
... Synthesis of (KUA) 3 -(LU) 4 ...
... The pDNA (p35S-NLuc-tNOS) used in this study encoded an engineered Oplophorus luciferase (NLuc) gene with the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and the Agrobacterium tumefaciens nopaline synthase gene terminator. Aqueous solutions of (KUA) 3 -(LU) 4 1 or (KUA) 3 2 (13.5, 27, 54, 270 μM) were diluted with Milli-Q water and then mixed with pDNA aqueous solution (20 nM) at various N/P ratios (defined as the molar ratio of cationic peptide nitrogen to anionic pDNA phosphate). After that, the mixture was vortexed for 20 s and incubated at 25°C for 30 min. ...
An important method for plant genetic modification is using peptide/pDNA complexes to transfer genes into plant cells. With conventional carrier peptides, the peptide sequence must contain a high amount of cationic amino acids to condense and introduce pDNA. As a result, the dissociation of pDNA from the complex is inefficient, often causing problems. Herein, we designed a new peptide carrier that mimics the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain of DNA-binding proteins, in which (LU) 4 is the leucine zipper motif and (KUA) 3 is the basic DNA-binding and cell-penetrating motif (U = α-aminoisobutyric acid). After (KUA) 3 -(LU) 4 peptide was mixed with pDNA, DNA molecules were condensed to form nanoparticles of approximately 130 nm. Furthermore, when complexes of (KUA) 3 -(LU) 4 peptide and pDNA were introduced into the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana ( A. thaliana ), expression of the reporter protein was detected in the plant cells. Thus, (KUA) 3 -(LU) 4 peptide that mimics the bZIP domain is a novel and efficient carrier for pDNA with high dissociation efficiency.
... It is essential to address the superiority of nanoparticle-mediated GMOs over conventional approaches. Nanoparticles, such as Carbon Nano Tubes and mesoporous silica, exhibit the capability to penetrate cell walls without requiring any pretreatment, enabling the successful delivery of genetic material and the development of GMOs [177]. ...
Nanoparticle-based delivery systems have emerged as powerful tools in the field of pest management, offering precise and effective means of delivering double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a potent agent for pest control through RNA interference (RNAi). This comprehensive review aims to evaluate and compare various types of nanoparticles for their suitability in dsRNA delivery for pest management applications. The review begins by examining the unique properties and advantages of different nanoparticle materials, including clay, chitosan, liposomes, carbon, gold and silica. Each material’s ability to protect dsRNA from degradation and its potential for targeted delivery to pests are assessed. Furthermore, this review delves into the surface modification strategies employed to enhance dsRNA delivery efficiency. Functionalization with oligonucleotides, lipids, polymers, proteins and peptides is discussed in detail, highlighting their role in improving stability, cellular uptake, and specificity of dsRNA delivery.This review also provides valuable guidance on choosing the most suitable nanoparticle-based system for delivering dsRNA effectively and sustainably in pest management. Moreover, it identifies existing knowledge gaps and proposes potential research directions aimed at enhancing pest control strategies through the utilization of nanoparticles and dsRNA.
Graphical abstract
... Advancements in bionanotechnology have revolutionized plant breeding by enabling molecular-level analyses of bred plants [3][4][5]. This technology promises to reduce breeding costs and the time required for breeding. ...
In plant breeding, efforts have been made to efficiently obtain plants with desired characteristics through methods such as mutagenesis, gene recombination, genome editing, and cell fusion. Among these methods, cell fusion has been widely used because of its simplicity. However, traditional fusion methods suffer from a lack of controllability and selectivity with regard to the fusion of target single cells. In this study, a microfluidic platform that enables electrofusion based on electric field constriction was developed to achieve one-to-one fusion of plant protoplasts derived from flowers (Phalaenopsis) and leaves (Phalaenopsis and Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus). The platform has a simple configuration, which comprises an insulating orifice sheet sandwiched between two indium tin oxide glass electrodes, which are separated from each other with a thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) separating layer. Prior to fusion, protoplasts are introduced into the chambers above and below the orifice sheet, followed by the application of a high-frequency electric field (1 MHz, 1 × 104 V/m) to attract the protoplasts into the orifice by positive dielectrophoresis (pDEP). Upon confirming the formation of protoplast pairs at the orifices, a pulse voltage (5 kHz, 4 Vpp with a duration of 200 μs) is then applied to electrically fuse the paired protoplasts one-to-one at the orifice. As a result, we observed Phalaenopsis and R. raphanistrum subsp. sativus protoplast pairing with high-efficiency levels of 75% and 78%, respectively. One-to-one fusion efficiency of the paired protoplast was 76% and 80%, respectively. These results suggest that our platform has the potential to achieve high-efficiency one-to-one fusion, regardless of the protoplast type and size differences.
... The development of new nanocarriers for CRISPR-Cas delivery has overcome the existing shortcomings of the current system like high costs, editing inefficiencies, and offtarget hits, and have emerged as novel molecular transporters for genetic transformation in plants. For plant-based delivery, the preferred nanomaterials include gold nanoparticles, silicon nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, nanogels, graphene oxide NPs, hybrid NPs, and peptide-based NPs which could enable efficient transformation as CRISPR carriers (Ahmar et al. 2021). ...
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) is a desirable gene modification tool covering a wide area in various sectors of medicine, agriculture, and microbial biotechnology. The role of this incredible genetic engineering technology has been extensively investigated; however, it remains formidable with cargo choices, nonspecific delivery, and insertional mutagenesis. Various nanomaterials including lipid, polymeric, and inorganic are being used to deliver the CRISPR-Cas system. Progress in nanomaterials could potentially address these challenges by accelerating precision targeting, cost-effectiveness, and one-step delivery. In this review, we highlighted the advances in nanotechnology and nanomaterials as smart delivery systems for CRISPR-Cas so as to ameliorate applications for environmental remediation including biomedical research and healthcare, strategies for mitigating antimicrobial resistance, and to be used as nanofertilizers for enhancing crop growth, and reducing the environmental impact of traditional fertilizers. The timely co-evolution of nanotechnology and CRISPR technologies has contributed to smart novel nanostructure hybrids for improving the onerous tasks of environmental remediation and biological sustainability.
... The transgene is eventually segregated out [19]. Several novel methods using nanotechnology, plant viral vectors, and protein delivery have been innovated to avoid inserting the CRISPR-Cas system into the plant's genome [1,17,28]. 2. Challenges in Phase 4: This step is critical as they involve the direct involvement of growers and consumers. An important consideration at this stage is the "perception" of the technology and the product by its grower [46]. ...
Targeted genome editing by Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat- CRISPR-associated (CRISPR-Cas) system has revolutionized basic and translational plant research. There is widespread use of CRISPR-Cas technology which has the potential to address challenges like food insecurity and climate crisis. Crops with improved traits (e.g., higher yield, drought tolerant) that would take several years to generate can now be developed at a much reduced time, drastically expediting the availability of the crops for release in the market. However, several factors are involved in successfully applying the CRISPR-Cas system in agriculture and the widespread adoption and acceptability of genome-edited products that involve multiple institutions and people from different spheres of society. Besides the scientific and legal intricacies of releasing CRISPR-edited crops, “public perception” equally matters in successfully deploying the technology and its products. “Lack of” or “overwhelming” information can both affect the success of the CRISPR-Cas system in translational agriculture research. A bird’s-eye-view of the CRISPR-Cas genome editing tool for people from different strata of society is essential for the wide acceptability of genome-edited crops. This review provides a general overview of the CRISPR-Cas system, the concept of technology development, challenges, and regulations involved in translational research.
Graphical abstract
... (2) Thorough research and mitigation techniques are needed in light of the potential environmental dangers connected to nanoparticle emission. [75,76] Gene Editing ...
Post-harvest handling and ripening techniques have an impact on peach quality and shelf life, which has a big impact on consumer satisfaction and market competitiveness. This review paper examines recent advancements in ripening techniques and post-harvest technologies with the goal of improving peach fruit quality and sustainability. The factors impacting fruit quality after harvest and the physiological changes that occur throughout peach ripening are fully explained. For maintaining peach freshness and reducing losses, novel handling methods like modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and controlled atmosphere storage (CAS) have been investigated. The study explores the possibilities of nanotechnology applications and low-temperature storage for prolonging shelf life while maintaining texture, flavor, and aroma. This study further analyzes the effectiveness and waste reduction potential of automation and mechanization in post-harvest activities. The paper also discusses ethylene-based and non-ethylene-based ripening agents, as well as innovative techniques including gene editing and RNAi technology for controlled and delayed ripening. Analyses are performed on how these technologies affect the sensory qualities and nutrient profiles of peaches. The study emphasizes the significance of sustainable practices in the peach industry by focusing on waste reduction, resource efficiency, and circular economy integration. Post-harvest technologies' potential environmental consequences are taken into consideration, and the paper encourages more studies and cooperation to increase sustainability.
