Nanomaterials impact in phytohormone signaling networks of plants - A critical review

Nanotechnology offers a transformative approach to augment plant growth and crop productivity under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Nanomaterials interact with key phytohormones, triggering the synthesis of stressassociated metabolites, activating antioxidant defense mechanisms, and modulating gene expression networks that regulate diverse physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes within plant systems. This review critically examines the impact of nanoparticles on both conventional and genetically modified crops, focusing on their role in nutrient delivery systems and the modulation of plant cellular machinery. Nanoparticle-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation plays a central role in altering secondary metabolite biosynthesis, highlighting their function as potent elicitors and stimulants in plant systems. The review underscores the significant contribution of nanoparticles in enhancing stress resilience through the modulation of phytohormonal signaling pathways, offering novel insights into their potential for improving crop health and productivity under environmental stressors.