A Comprehensive Study of the Effects of Engineered Nanomaterials and Nanoparticles on the Poaceae (Grass) Family Plants

Abstract

Plants of Poaceae, otherwise known as the Grass family, are the world’s single most important food source. Of all the human-produced food items worldwide, almost 4.51 billion tons come from the plants of this family like sugarcane, corn, rice, barley, wheat, etc., contributing to over 50% of the 8.9 billion tons of food produced annually. It is believed that around 30-40% of the landmass on earth is covered by grass. Given their diversity and the dependence of the animal kingdom on this family of plants, it is no wonder that any change in the environment and ecology would impact them, subsequently impacting all the living beings dependent on them. Over the last decade, the synthesis and use of engineered nanoparticles and nanomaterials have dramatically risen in many aspects of human life and civilization. Industries, agricultural, and daily consumer products are some of those, so to speak. After the end of their useful life, in one way or the other, they will end up in the environment, where they would most likely come in contact with the crops as well. Their effect caused to the environment and ecosystem is still not much known as the research on this aspect is comparatively new. However, we must explore this sector to take necessary and suitable measures to prevent the misuse of this technology caused by the lack of our consciousness as it happened in the past for plastic and fossil fuels, which were meant to be a blessing for us to begin with. This study focuses on the response of the plants in the grass family to the exposure of a few types of engineered nanoparticles to various degrees, as we are heavily dependent on the plants of this family in many aspects, primarily for food and agriculture.