Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs): a promising nanoparticle in renovating plant science

Nanotechnology gives immense worth in various fields through the distinctive features of nanoparticles (NPs). One of the most important applications of the nanotechnology is in the field of plant science that provides beneficial effects to plants and soil by functioning as fertilizer to enhance plant growth and productivity, antimicrobial for disease management and biosensors to monitor soil quality and plant health. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) emerge as a potential tool to plant science giving promising aspects for better plant growth and yield, which is one of the most important solutions for the explosive world population. However, it also caused various detrimental effects in plant at high dose and duration that vary with different plants as well as with the size and shape of ZnO-NPs. Extensive research has been done to overcome the antagonist effect of ZnO-NPs, where low dose and duration of exposure are found to be beneficial in plants. Also, functionalization serves an effective method to provide stability to the NPs thereby reducing the harmful impact of ZnO-NPs in plant with the simultaneous enhancement of efficacy. Therefore, this review attempts to illustrate the uptake, distribution and the effects of ZnO-NPs in plant physiology. Furthermore, the promising aspect of ZnO-NPs in plant is also discussed, while summing up the significance of functionalized Zn-NPs in plant. This review updates the status of ZnO-NPs in plant, thereby drawing attention for renovating plant science and achieving sustainability by utilizing ZnO-NPs in the right way.