Halophyte-derived nanoparticles and biostimulants for sustainable crop production under abiotic stresses

Global agriculture faces escalating challenges from multiple abiotic stresses, including salinity, drought, heavy metal toxicity, and rising temperatures. These factors collectively threaten crop yields and food security. Halophytes, inherently adapted to extreme environments, offer valuable insight...

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Main Authors: Rekha Agrawal, Soumya Koippully Manikandan, Maria Hasnain, John Klironomos, Mohamed S. Sheteiwy, Ali El-Keblawy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Plant Stress
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667064X25002027
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author Rekha Agrawal
Soumya Koippully Manikandan
Maria Hasnain
John Klironomos
Mohamed S. Sheteiwy
Ali El-Keblawy
author_facet Rekha Agrawal
Soumya Koippully Manikandan
Maria Hasnain
John Klironomos
Mohamed S. Sheteiwy
Ali El-Keblawy
author_sort Rekha Agrawal
collection DOAJ
description Global agriculture faces escalating challenges from multiple abiotic stresses, including salinity, drought, heavy metal toxicity, and rising temperatures. These factors collectively threaten crop yields and food security. Halophytes, inherently adapted to extreme environments, offer valuable insights into stress tolerance mechanisms and serve as promising sources for nanoparticle (NPs) and biostimulant development. NPs have high surface reactivity and controlled release capabilities that enable them to enhance nutrient-use efficiency, strengthen antioxidant defenses, and mitigate ion toxicity under adverse conditions. Biostimulants derived from halophytes complement NP applications by activating internal defense pathways which further optimize osmotic balance, promote root development and interaction with beneficial microbes. This review explores the increasing research on halophyte-based NPs and biostimulants, highlighting their diverse roles in reducing salinity, drought, heavy metal pollution, and heat stress and their possible applications in waste management. Emphasis is placed on phytonanotechnology, an eco-friendly synthesis method leveraging the inherent biochemical properties of halophytes, and on strategies for the integrated use of NPs and biostimulants to augment crop resilience. This review articulates how halophyte-driven innovations can address urgent agricultural and environmental needs by examining both mechanistic insights and field-level implications. It also highlights critical knowledge gaps, notably in large-scale testing, product standardization, and safety assessments. Overall, the synergy between halophyte biostimulants and NPs provides a potent toolkit for modern, climate-smart agriculture, poised to benefit plant productivity, ecosystem health, and resource efficiency.
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spelling doaj-art-e5eb8efa3843422d8f0153ab743ad1f62025-08-23T04:49:31ZengElsevierPlant Stress2667-064X2025-09-011710093410.1016/j.stress.2025.100934Halophyte-derived nanoparticles and biostimulants for sustainable crop production under abiotic stressesRekha Agrawal0Soumya Koippully Manikandan1Maria Hasnain2John Klironomos3Mohamed S. Sheteiwy4Ali El-Keblawy5Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Biotechnology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, PakistanDepartment of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah PO Box 26666, United Arab Emirates; Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah PO Box 26666, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Integrative Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Faculty of Pharmacy, Al Salam University, Tanta, Egypt; Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab EmiratesGlobal agriculture faces escalating challenges from multiple abiotic stresses, including salinity, drought, heavy metal toxicity, and rising temperatures. These factors collectively threaten crop yields and food security. Halophytes, inherently adapted to extreme environments, offer valuable insights into stress tolerance mechanisms and serve as promising sources for nanoparticle (NPs) and biostimulant development. NPs have high surface reactivity and controlled release capabilities that enable them to enhance nutrient-use efficiency, strengthen antioxidant defenses, and mitigate ion toxicity under adverse conditions. Biostimulants derived from halophytes complement NP applications by activating internal defense pathways which further optimize osmotic balance, promote root development and interaction with beneficial microbes. This review explores the increasing research on halophyte-based NPs and biostimulants, highlighting their diverse roles in reducing salinity, drought, heavy metal pollution, and heat stress and their possible applications in waste management. Emphasis is placed on phytonanotechnology, an eco-friendly synthesis method leveraging the inherent biochemical properties of halophytes, and on strategies for the integrated use of NPs and biostimulants to augment crop resilience. This review articulates how halophyte-driven innovations can address urgent agricultural and environmental needs by examining both mechanistic insights and field-level implications. It also highlights critical knowledge gaps, notably in large-scale testing, product standardization, and safety assessments. Overall, the synergy between halophyte biostimulants and NPs provides a potent toolkit for modern, climate-smart agriculture, poised to benefit plant productivity, ecosystem health, and resource efficiency.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667064X25002027NanoparticlesHalophyteSalinityBiostimulantsStressCrop resilience
spellingShingle Rekha Agrawal
Soumya Koippully Manikandan
Maria Hasnain
John Klironomos
Mohamed S. Sheteiwy
Ali El-Keblawy
Halophyte-derived nanoparticles and biostimulants for sustainable crop production under abiotic stresses
Plant Stress
Nanoparticles
Halophyte
Salinity
Biostimulants
Stress
Crop resilience
title Halophyte-derived nanoparticles and biostimulants for sustainable crop production under abiotic stresses
title_full Halophyte-derived nanoparticles and biostimulants for sustainable crop production under abiotic stresses
title_fullStr Halophyte-derived nanoparticles and biostimulants for sustainable crop production under abiotic stresses
title_full_unstemmed Halophyte-derived nanoparticles and biostimulants for sustainable crop production under abiotic stresses
title_short Halophyte-derived nanoparticles and biostimulants for sustainable crop production under abiotic stresses
title_sort halophyte derived nanoparticles and biostimulants for sustainable crop production under abiotic stresses
topic Nanoparticles
Halophyte
Salinity
Biostimulants
Stress
Crop resilience
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667064X25002027
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