Nano-enabled seed treatment technology: an efficient strategy to enhance climate resilience of crops

Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Therefore, crops are increasingly exposed to a variety of abiotic stresses, such as heat, cold, drought, and floods. In addition, climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of biotic stresses, such as pathogens and pests, in crops. Under the combined action of abiotic and biotic stresses, a reduction in grain yield is a serious threat to global food security. Improving the climatic resilience of crops is critical for reducing yield losses. Seed treatment is an effective way to improve seed quality (e.g., by increasing stress resistance, yield, and nutritional quality of crops). Nanomaterials with unique physicochemical, electrical, and catalytic properties are used as seed-treatment agents. In recent decades, nano-enabled seed treatment approaches have shown great potential for improving abiotic stress tolerance and disease resistance in crops. In this review, the research progress, molecular mechanisms, and current market status of nano-enabled seed treatments are discussed. Nano-enabled seed treatment was found to not only improve the germination rate and accelerate germination speed, but also enhance resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses. When nanomaterials interact with seeds, their small size enables them to cross biological barriers and enter the seeds quickly, and the catalytic properties allow them to participate in and regulate cellular metabolic processes. Meanwhile, nano-enabled seed treatment is a simple, low cost, and environmentally friendly new technology, which has great potential to reduce the use of agricultural chemicals and promote sustainable agriculture. In addition, this is an effective method of improving the climate resilience of crops. Nano-enabled seed treatment technology is likely to be a new strategy in the seed treatment industry. This early layout will improve the international competitiveness of seed treatment enterprises in our country. Taken together, this review aims to provide farmers, policymakers, and other researchers with a comprehensive perspective on the current nano-enabled seed treatment research and technology, as well as a new perspective and strategy for improving the competitiveness of China’s seed treatment industry.