Climate change presents a growing challenge for agriculture. Crops are increasingly exposed to extreme weather, drought, salinity, and heat.
To address this, scientists and agritech developers are exploring nanotechnology to improve seed resilience. One emerging method, nanopriming, offers a novel approach to enhancing crop performance under stress.1
Image Credit: Volodymyr_Shtun/Shutterstock.com
What is Nanopriming?
Nanopriming is a seed treatment that promotes germination and early plant growth. It involves coating seeds with solutions containing nanoparticles, such as silver, copper, silicon, or zinc. These are applied before sowing.1
After application, the nanoparticles penetrate the seed coat and trigger a series of cellular, biochemical, and physiological responses. This leads to faster, more uniform germination and improves seedling vigor.1
As nanoparticles move into the seed, they help deliver nutrients, growth hormones, and antimicrobial agents directly to the embryo. This support enhances resilience and disease resistance. Seeds treated this way perform better under difficult conditions, including drought, salinity, and heat.1
Nanomaterials Used in Seed Priming
The choice of nanomaterial depends on the specific stress being addressed and the intended outcome. Commonly used materials include:
- Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs): Improve resistance to drought and salinity.
- Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs): Provide antimicrobial effects and improve germination.
- Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs): Support root development and stress tolerance.
- Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs): Assist with nutrient delivery and activating plant defenses.
- Chitosan-based NPs: Biodegradable carriers that aid nutrient delivery and pathogen resistance.
- Magnesium hydroxide NPs (Mg(OH)₂NPs): Promote early germination and strengthen seedlings.
These materials vary in size (usually under 100 nm), composition, and function. This allows researchers to customize treatments for different crops and growing conditions.2
How Nanopriming Enhances Stress Tolerance
Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and heat limit plant growth and reduce yields. These environmental pressures pose a growing threat to food security.
Nanopriming helps mitigate these challenges by strengthening seeds at early developmental stages. It enhances both physiological and molecular responses, making plants more capable of coping with stress.3
Under drought conditions, nanopriming improves water-use efficiency and root function. Nanomaterials like carbon dots and zinc oxide (ZnO) enhance germination and water uptake. They also activate antioxidant enzymes that reduce oxidative damage, helping plants maintain photosynthetic function under limited water.3,4
For salinity stress, nanopriming supports ion regulation and osmolyte accumulation. Materials such as graphene oxide encourage deeper root growth. This helps plants exclude excess salt while improving the uptake of key nutrients like potassium and calcium. These effects contribute to better cell membrane stability and overall plant health.3,4
In response to heat stress, nanoparticles like cerium oxide act as ROS scavengers and help stabilize proteins and DNA. Foliar application of ZnO nanoparticles has improved heat tolerance in crops such as lucerne. Gold and silver nanoparticles also activate protective heat shock proteins.3,4
Beyond stress tolerance, nanopriming improves seedling performance. Treated seeds germinate more quickly and uniformly. Root and shoot development is often more vigorous, which supports early establishment in poor or degraded soils.5,6
Nanoparticles also enhance nutrient uptake and can trigger internal defense mechanisms, such as antimicrobial peptide expression and stress-response gene activation. These effects support resistance to both environmental and biological stressors.
Research Highlights: Crop-Specific Nanopriming
Recent studies are expanding the understanding of how specific nanomaterials can support crop performance under stress. These findings highlight the importance of tailored nanoparticle formulations and novel delivery methods.
In one study, AgNPs improved early growth in maize and lentil under salt stress. Similarly, ZnO NPs applied to soybean enhanced seedling vigor and germination during drought. Graphene quantum dots, a type of carbon-based nanomaterial, improved root architecture and stress adaptation in tomato and coriander.2,7
A more targeted approach was demonstrated by Y. Li et al., who tested selenium–nitrogen co-doped carbon dots (Se,N-CDs) on rice seedlings under salt stress. When applied as a foliar spray, these nanoparticles enhanced seedling growth and salinity tolerance. The treatment activated calcium and jasmonic acid signaling pathways, increased antioxidant enzyme activity (e.g., SOD and POD), and supported iron regulation, reducing oxidative damage in the plants.8
In another investigation, Zhu et al. explored how plant cell wall composition affects nanoparticle uptake. Using cucumber and Arabidopsis, the researchers compared uptake across four cell types: protoplasts (lacking a cell wall), enzymatically treated cells, regenerated cell walls, and intact leaves.
They found that pectin content is critical in enabling the uptake of negatively charged carbon dots. This insight could guide the design of more effective nanoparticle delivery systems for agricultural applications.9
Addressing Safety, Scale, and Policy Gaps
Despite ongoing research and growing interest, nanopriming in agriculture faces clear regulatory and implementation challenges. Environmental safety remains a central concern.
The long-term effects of nanoparticles on soil ecosystems, water quality, and non-target organisms are not yet fully understood. Misuse or excessive application can lead to phytotoxic effects or unwanted accumulation in the environment.3
A further barrier is the absence of established regulatory guidelines in many countries. Without clear standards for the use of nanomaterials in agriculture, commercial adoption remains limited. Scalability also presents difficulties. Producing and applying nanoparticles consistently and cost-effectively at scale remains a challenge.1,3
In response, researchers are developing strategies to address these limitations. One area of focus is the use of biologically synthesized or “green” nanoparticles, which are derived from plant-based materials. These alternatives may reduce environmental risk and are more likely to comply with future regulatory standards.1, 6
Additional innovation is aimed at improving precision and control. Smart seed coatings are being designed to release nutrients or pesticides in response to environmental conditions, reducing waste and unintended exposure. Crop-specific nanoparticle formulations are also in development, enabling targeted treatment based on local growing conditions.6
Another emerging tool is the use of nanosensors embedded in seed treatments. These could allow farmers to monitor germination and early seedling health in real time, improving decision-making at the earliest stages of crop production.
Together, these approaches aim to reduce uncertainty, improve safety, and support the practical use of nanopriming technologies in the field.6
Explore Further
Advancing nanopriming requires more than safe materials and better delivery; it also depends on how well crops tolerate real-world stresses.
To stay informed about how nanotechnology is transforming plant science and other agricultural innovations, subscribe to our expert-curated Agritech Newsletter.
References and Further Studies
1. Agrawal, S.; Das, R.; Solanki, S.; Choudhury, S.; Bhattacharya, I.; Kumar, P.; kumar Singh, A.; Mishra, S. K.; Tiwari, K. N., An Introduction to Nanopriming for Sustainable Agriculture. In Nanopriming Approach to Sustainable Agriculture, IGI Global: 2023; pp 1-19. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/an-introduction-to-nanopriming-for-sustainable-agriculture/328168
2. Chadha, U.; Zablotny, K.; Mallampati, A.; Pawar, H. G.; Batcha, M. A.; Gokula Preethi, S.; Arunchandra, A. N. S.; Choudhury, M.; Singh, B. P., Seed Regeneration Aided by Nanomaterials in a Climate Change Scenario: A Comprehensive Review. Nanotechnology Reviews 2024, 13, 20240126. https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/ntrev-2024-0126/html
3. Wu, H.; Bose, J., Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Adaptations, Mechanisms, and New Techniques. Elsevier: 2024. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214514124001971
4. Kumar, N.; Kaur, S. S. A., Plant Resilience Nanotechnological Approaches to Mitigate Climate Change and Biotic and Abiotic Stress, 2024. https://doi.org/10.33545/2618060X.2025.v8.i1g.2467
5. do Espirito Santo Pereira, A.; Caixeta Oliveira, H.; Fernandes Fraceto, L.; Santaella, C., Nanotechnology Potential in Seed Priming for Sustainable Agriculture. Nanomaterials 2021, 11, 267. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/2/267
6. Nile, S. H.; Thiruvengadam, M.; Wang, Y.; Samynathan, R.; Shariati, M. A.; Rebezov, M.; Nile, A.; Sun, M.; Venkidasamy, B.; Xiao, J., Nano-Priming as Emerging Seed Priming Technology for Sustainable Agriculture—Recent Developments and Future Perspectives. Journal of nanobiotechnology 2022, 20, 254. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12951-022-01423-8
7. Li, Y.; Xu, R.; Qi, J.; Lei, S.; Han, Q.; Ma, C.; Wang, H., Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Dots as a Nanobiostimulant for Metabolism, Antioxidant, and Cell Wall to Improves Rice Growth and Stress Tolerance. Antioxidant, and Cell Wall to Improves Rice Growth and Stress Tolerance, 2025. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5092859
8. Li, Y.; Xu, R.; Han, Q.; Lei, S.; Ma, C.; Qi, J.; Liu, Y.; Wang, H., Selenium–Nitrogen-Co-Doped Carbon Dots Increase Rice Seedling Growth and Salt Resistance. The Crop Journal 2024, 12, 1496-1501. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214514124001478
9. Zhu, L.; Xu, W.; Yao, X.; Chen, L.; Li, G.; Gu, J.; Chen, L.; Li, Z.; Wu, H., Cell Wall Pectin Content Refers to Favored Delivery of Negatively Charged Carbon Dots in Leaf Cells. ACS nano 2023, 17, 23442-23454. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.3c05182
