Chapter 8 - Biointeractions of plants–microbes–engineered nanomaterials

Abstract

Nanotechnology has grown rapidly, and its ubiquitous applications have fostered unavoidable interactions among engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), plants, and microorganisms. The behavior of ENMs in soil and their persistence depends on their chemical nature and soil characteristics. Some of these materials possess well-known antimicrobial activities. The presence and persistence of these nanomaterials in the soil can alter the quality of the soil microbiome, thus influencing key microbial processes such as biogeochemical cycles and plant growth–promoting activities. On the other hand, new approaches based on new technologies have been applied to discover and characterize microbial diversity and to elucidate their interactions with plants in the presence of ENMs. After we scrutinized scientific literature, we found significant differences in the research results regarding the effects and interactions of nanomaterials with plants and soil microorganisms. This chapter comprehensively reviews the exposure of soil microbial communities to ENMs; the role of biotic and abiotic factors regulating these soil–plant–ENMs interactions and their effect on the responses are also analyzed. Finally, in this chapter, we reviewed molecular-based methodologies that are helpful in understanding the biointeractions among nanomaterials, plants, and microorganisms.