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Review Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp1 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Nano-chelates and their role in boosting the productivity of cereals and vegetable crops

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.11389
Submitted
21 August 2025
Published
26-02-2026

Abstract

Nano-chelates are considered as a potential application that can increase cereals and vegetable production. The nano-chelates applied via foliar and soil methods, including iron, zinc and potassium. Overall, which determined that the application of nano-chelate fertilisers contributed to significant increases in plant growth parameters (e.g., plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll, yield) when applied to the cereals like wheat, rice as well as the vegetables like lettuce, cucumber and pepper. Nano-chelates helps in increase the nutrient uptake effectiveness and also it helps in improved concentrations of necessary micronutrients in the tissues of the studied plants were associated with improved physiological functions including rates of photosynthesis and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes. In cereals, nano-chelates contributed to higher grain yield and protein content that contributes to resistance against abiotic stresses including drought and heavy metals. In vegetables, the use of nano-chelated fertilisers benefitted vegetative growth biomass and accumulation of nutrients required by the plants, but they also assisted with increased plant defences against both biotic and abiotic stresses that can negatively affect plant health and productivity. Their nanoscale size ensures targeted delivery and rapid assimilation within chloroplasts, improving photosynthetic performance. Such mechanisms explain the observed rise in chlorophyll levels and overall metabolic efficiency in crops. Additionally, nano-chelates aid in food safety and health by helping to reduce the accumulation of toxic elements such as arsenic and cadmium in plant edible tissues. These collective findings support the notion that nano-chelates could be sustainable methods to increase crop yield and nutritional quality.

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