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The primary factors that restrict agricultural productivity and jeopardize human and food safety are heavy metals (HMs), including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and aluminum, which adversely impact crop yields and quality. Plants, in their adaptability, proactively engage in a multitude of intricate processes to counteract the impacts of HM toxicity. These processes orchestrate profound transformations at biomolecular levels, showing the plant’s ability to adapt and thrive in adversity. In the past few decades, HM stress tolerance in crops has been successfully addressed through a combination of traditional breeding techniques, cutting-edge genetic engineering methods, and the strategic implementation of marker-dependent breeding approaches. Given the remarkable progress achieved in this domain, it has become imperative to adopt integrated methods that mitigate potential risks and impacts arising from environmental contamination on yields, which is crucial as we endeavor to forge ahead with the establishment of enduring agricultural systems. In this manner, nanotechnology has emerged as a viable field in agricultural sciences. The potential applications are extensive, encompassing the regulation of environmental stressors like toxic metals, improving the efficiency of nutrient consumption and alleviating climate change effects. Integrating nanotechnology and nanomaterials in agrochemicals has successfully mitigated the drawbacks associated with traditional agrochemicals, including challenges like organic solvent pollution, susceptibility to photolysis, and restricted bioavailability. Numerous studies clearly show the immense potential of nanomaterials and nanofertilizers in tackling the acute crisis of HM toxicity in crop production. This review seeks to delve into using NPs as agrochemicals to effectively mitigate HM toxicity and enhance crop resilience, thereby fostering an environmentally friendly and economically viable approach toward sustainable agricultural advancement in the foreseeable future.

There is increased attention paid to metallic nanoparticles due to their intensive use in various branches of agriculture and biotechnology, such as pest management, nanosensors, gene delivery, seed treatment, etc. There has been growing interest in applying environmentally friendly strategies for synthesizing nanoparticles without using substances which are hazardous to the environment. Biological practices for the synthesis of nanoparticles have been considered as possible ecofriendly alternatives to chemical synthesis. In the present study, we used biogenic silver and copper nanoparticles which were prepared by a previously reported green method. Moreover, the problem of chemical residues, which usually remain along with chemically synthesized nanoparticles and limit their application, was solved by developing such a green synthesis approach. To study the antibacterial activity of silver and copper nanoparticles, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was used; for the evaluation of antifungal activity, the pathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea, Pilidium concavum and Pestalotia sp. were applied. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first time that the antifungal impact of a nanoparticle has been tested on Pilidium concavum and Pestalotia sp. Silver nanoparticles were found to be the more effective antimicrobial agent against all examined pathogens in comparison to copper nanoparticles. Data from such investigations provide valuable preliminary data on silver nanoparticle-based compounds or composites for use in the management of different pathogens.

Oriental poppy ( Papaver orientale L.) belonging to the Papaveraceae family, has the capacity to synthesize a wide range of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of green and chemical copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) elicitors on oxidative stress and the BIAs biosynthesis pathway in the cell suspension culture of P. orientale . This research shows that both green and chemical CuO NPs at concentrations of 20 mg/L and 40 mg/L, induce oxidative stress in the cell suspension of P. orientale by increasing the production of H 2 O 2 and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The comparison of treatments revealed that utilizing a lower concentration of CuO NPs (20 mg/L) and extending the duration of cell suspension incubation (up to 48 h) play a more influential role in inducing the expression of the BIAs biosynthesis pathway genes ( PsWRKY , TYDC , SalSyn , SalR , SalAT , T6ODM , COR and CODM ) and increasing the production of morphinan alkaloids (thebaine, codeine, and morphine). The overarching results indicate that the concentration of CuO NPs and the duration of cell treatment have a more significant impact than the nature of CuO NPs in inducing oxidative stress and stimulating the expression of the BIAs pathway genes.

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) produced in opium poppy have been evidenced to heal patients suffering from various diseases. They, therefore, hold an integral position in the herbal drug industry. Despite the adoption of several approaches for the large-scale production of BIAs, opium poppy remains the only platform in this purpose. The only disadvantage associated with producing BIAs in the plant is their small quantity. Thus, recruiting strategies that boost their levels is deemed necessary. All the methods which have been employed so far are just able to enhance a maximum of two BIAs. Thus, if these methods are utilized, a sizable amount of time and budget must be spent on the synthesis of all BIAs. Hence, the exploitation of strategies which increase the content of all BIAs at the same time is more commercially effective and time-saving, avoiding the laborious step of resolving the biosynthetic pathway of each compound. Exposure to biotic and abiotic elicitors, development of a synthetic auto-tetraploid, overexpression of a WRKY transcription factor, formation of an artificial metabolon, and suppression of a gene in the shikimate pathway and miRNA are strategies that turn opium poppy into a versatile bioreactor for the concurrent and massive production of BIAs. The last three strategies have never been applied for BIA biosynthetic pathways.

The aim of our study was to examine the different concentrations of AuNPs as a new antimicrobial substance to control the pathogenic activity. The extracellular synthesis of AuNPs performed by using Phoma sp. as an endophytic fungus. Endophytic fungus was isolated from vascular tissue of peach trees (Prunus persica) from Baft, located in Kerman province, Iran. The UltraViolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV–Vis spectroscopy) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy provided the absorbance peak at 526 nm, while the X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy images released the formation of spherical AuNPs with sizes in the range of 10–100 nm. The findings of inhibition zone test of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) showed a desirable antifungal and antibacterial activity against phytopathogens including Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA (AG1-IA has been identified as the dominant anastomosis group) and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. The highest inhibition level against sclerotia formation was 93% for AuNPs at a concentration of 80 μg/mL. Application of endophytic fungus biomass for synthesis of AuNPs is relatively inexpensive, single step and environmentally friendly. In vitro study of the antifungal activity of AuNPs at concentrations of 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg/mL was conducted against rice fungal pathogen R. solani to reduce sclerotia formation. The experimental data revealed that the Inhibition rate (RH) for sclerotia formation was (15, 33, 74 and 93%), respectively, for their corresponding AuNPs concentrations (10, 20, 40 and 80 μg/mL). Our findings obviously indicated that the RH strongly depend on AuNPs rates, and enhance upon an increase in AuNPs rates. The application of endophytic fungi biomass for green synthesis is our future goal.

Rosa damascena  Mill., commonly known as the King Flower, is a fragrant and important species of the Rosaceae family. It is widely used in the perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. The scent and color of the flowers are significant characteristics of this ornamental plant. This study aimed to investigate the relative expression of MYB1 , CCD1 , FLS , PAL , CER1 , GT1 , ANS and PAR genes under two growth stages (S1 and S2) in two morphs. The  CCD1  gene pathway is highly correlated with the biosynthesis of volatile compounds. The results showed that the overexpression of MYB1 , one of the important transcription factors in the production of fragrance and color, in the Hot pink morph of sample S2 increased the expression of  PAR ,  PAL ,  FLS ,  RhGT1 , CCD1 , ANS , CER1 , and GGPPS . The methyl jasmonate (MeJA) stimulant had a positive and cumulative effect on gene expression in most genes, such as  FLS  in ACC.26 of the S2 sample, RhGT1 , MYB1 , CCD1 , PAR , ANS , CER1 , and PAL in ACC.1. To further study, a comprehensive analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the principal volatile compounds and colors. Our data suggest that the rose with pink flowers had a higher accumulation content of flavonoids and anthocyanin. To separate essential oil compounds, GC/MS analysis identified 26 compounds in four samples. The highest amount of geraniol, one of the main components of damask rose, was found in the Hot pink flower, 23.54%, under the influence of the MeJA hormone.

The increase in demand for natural rubber has led to the search for alternative sources. Lactuca serriola is emerging as a promising candidate, as the quality of the natural rubber it produces is comparable to that of the Pará Rubber Plant, Hevea brasiliensis . This study examines the effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a known elicitor, on the expression of key rubber biosynthesis pathway genes ( HMGR1 , HMGS1 , CPT2 , and SRPP1 ) in the latex of L. serriola plants. The expression levels of these genes increased significantly after the foliar application of 200 and 400 µM MeJA. The highest relative expression level for HMGR1 , HMGS1 , CPT2 and SRPP1 was 3.74, 18.56, 11.91and 16.59 fold respectively. Furthermore, the rubber content in L. serriola showed a significant rise post-treatment compared to the control with increasing the level of MeJA (6.19%, 7.24% and 7.85% which correspond to 0, 200 and 400 µM). Gel permeation chromatography revealed an augmentation in the molecular weight of extracted natural rubber from treated plants. Samples treated with 400 µM of MeJA had the highest molecular weight (1570 kg mol −1 ) compared to control (1186 kg mol −1 ). This study has demonstrated that MeJA, through the regulation of rubber biosynthesis genes, is capable of enhancing the quality and quantity of natural rubber extracted from alternative sources, such as L. serriola .

Paclitaxel, an anti-cancer compound from the Taxus baccata L. (yew tree), is limited in availability from natural sources. This study explores the use of plasma-activated water (PAW) as an elicitor in T . baccata suspension cell cultures to enhance the production of paclitaxel and its precursor, 10-Deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB III). The effects of PAW on various factors, including fresh and dry weight, cell viability, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity were investigated. The PAW treatment was conducted at different concentrations (200, 300, and 400 μL), with a pH of 5.6 to 5.8, and was applied at different time points (0, 7, 14, and 21 days). The results revealed that 10-DAB III was increased (14.04 µg/g) significantly at a concentration of 400 μL of PAW on day 21. In contrast, the highest paclitaxel content (3.342 µg/g) was achieved in the control group on day 21. The PAW treatment reduced cell viability by 32.25% compared to day 0 (86.25%), and PAL activity increased initially before declining, but remained higher than in the control group. This study is the first to demonstrate the potential of PAW to enhance taxanes production in T . baccata cell cultures, warranting further investigation into the underlying mechanisms.

This study delves into the chemical and genetic determinants of petal color and fragrance in Rosa canina L., a wild rose species prized for its pharmacological and cosmetic uses. Comparative analysis of white and dark pink R. canina flowers revealed that the former harbors significantly higher levels of total phenolics (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC), while the latter is distinguished by elevated total anthocyanins (TAC). Essential oils in the petals were predominantly composed of aliphatic hydrocarbons, with phenolic content chiefly constituted by flavonols and anthocyanins. Notably, gene expression analysis showed an upregulation in most genes associated with petal color and scent biosynthesis in white buds compared to dark pink open flowers. However, anthocyanin synthase (ANS) and its regulatory gene RhMYB1 exhibited comparable expression levels across both flower hues. LC-MS profiling identified Rutin, kaempferol, quercetin, and their derivatives as key flavonoid constituents, alongside cyanidin and delphinidin as the primary anthocyanin compounds. The findings suggest a potential feedback inhibition of anthocyanin biosynthesis in white flowers. These insights pave the way for the targeted enhancement of R. canina floral traits through metabolic and genetic engineering strategies.