Impact of Nanomaterials Stress on Plants

Response of plants to any stress condition is a complex phenomenon. Biomolecular, biomedical and biochemical approaches have been deployed to gain insights into this complex phenomenon. In the past few years, nanotechnology has also assisted in achieving acumens into response of plants to stress particularly, the stress induced by nanoparticles. Various anthropogenic activities contaminate the environment with xenobiotics like nanomaterials. Nanoparticles induce cellular stress in ecosystems, affecting plants the most. Interaction between the nanoparticle and cell influence the cellular processes of a plant. Several nanomaterials with different reactive affinities influence the cellular responses in relation to stress. The effect of nanomaterials on plants is also determined by various conditions of agro-ecosystems. Moreover, varying concentrations of nanomaterials are toxic to plants by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Various research had been accomplished to demonstrate the impact of nanomaterials on medicinal, industrial and agricultural sectors. Further, research at molecular and sub-cellular level can determine the impact of nanomaterials in regulating (inducing/inhibiting) plant responses. This chapter involves impact of nanomaterial stress on plants and consequent response by plants in relation to nanomaterial stress.