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Plant Science Today (PST)

Review Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Mitigating drought stress in agriculture: Biogenic nanoparticles and their synergistic interaction with environmental components

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.11016
Submitted
31 July 2025
Published
30-04-2026

Abstract

Abiotic stresses like extreme temperatures, drought, salinity, flood and heavy metals pose serious challenges to global agriculture, resulting in decreased productivity, food insecurity and economic losses. Nanotechnology is now recognised as a radical approach in agricultural science, providing promising solutions to mitigate the adverse impacts of abiotic stressors on plant growth and development. Nanoparticles (NPs) have drawn attention for their potential to address these challenges by improving resource use efficiency, reducing pollution, preventing diseases and promoting sustainability, number of tactics meant to improve crop productivity and quality, reduce nutritional deficiencies and increase stress tolerance. Because of their special characteristics, NPs can act as potent sensors and alter vital physiological and biochemical functions in plants. They also provide novel ways for plants to adjust to shifting environmental circumstances, increasing resilience. Since drought stress impairs nutrient transport and growth and impacts all phases of plant development, it stands out as a serious danger to global food security. The increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, which are essential for preserving cellular integrity and redox equilibrium, is frequently linked to this mitigation. Nano-biotechnology is a viable way to address a number of biotic and abiotic variables limiting output in areas like India, where raising agricultural productivity is essential to supporting a sizable population. Nano-biotechnology has the ability to transform plant growth regulation and stress reduction in agriculture by effectively regulating drought stress by the application of appropriate NP concentrations. This would ensure increased output across a variety of crops.

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