Targeting Plant Organs with Nanoparticles

Plants are continuously exposed to abiotic stresses and pathogenic pressures that constrain growth, productivity, and health. Nanoparticles have emerged as powerful tools in plant science due to their ability to interact with plant tissues at the nanoscale and modulate physiological and defense-related processes. While existing studies have provided valuable insights into nanoparticle–plant interactions, research has largely focused on whole-plant responses, leaving critical knowledge gaps regarding organ-specific effects. Roots and leaves represent distinct biological interfaces, characterized by different exposure routes, structural barriers, and roles in stress perception and defense. These differences are likely to shape nanoparticle uptake, translocation, and biological outcomes. Addressing how nanoparticles target specific plant organs, and how such targeting influences stress and disease responses, is essential to guide future research and enable the development of more precise, efficient, and biologically informed nano-enabled strategies in plant science.The goal of this Research Topic is to address an unresolved question in nano-enabled plant research: how nanoparticles interact with different plant organs and which organs are the primary targets and beneficiaries of nanoparticle-based approaches under stress and disease conditions.This collection will collect interdisciplinary research that compares root- and leaf-specific nanoparticle interactions, integrating knowledge on uptake pathways, translocation, physiological responses, and defense mechanisms. By combining experimental studies, mechanistic insights, and innovative perspectives, the collection seeks to identify key factors that determine beneficial versus adverse outcomes at the organ level. Ultimately, this Research Topic will contribute to defining new directions for the rational design and application of nanoparticles in plant science, supporting more precise, sustainable, and biologically informed approaches to plant stress and disease management.This Research Topic welcomes interdisciplinary contributions addressing organ-specific interactions between nanoparticles and plants, with a particular focus on roots and leaves. Authors are invited to explore nanoparticle uptake, translocation, and accumulation pathways, as well as physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses induced in different plant organs. Other themes of interest include but are not limited to the following:• Studies comparing root- and foliar-applied nanoparticles under abiotic and biotic stress conditions • Contributions examining beneficial effects, potential risks, and trade-offs associated with organ-specific nanoparticle responses • Manuscripts addressing implications for plant disease resistance, stress signaling, and future nano-enabled strategies This Topic accepts Original Research articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Perspectives, and Methods papers that advance mechanistic understanding and provide novel insights into nanoparticle–plant interactions.Topic Editor Dr. Roberto Berni is employed by Log2Go (part of SIDG). The other Topic Editors report no competing interests related to this Research Topic. Topic editors: Besma Sghaier, Thabiso Eric Motaung, Roberto Berni Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81407/targeting-plant-organs-with-nanoparticles