Synthesis, characterization and dissecting the role of Cu and Mn nano sulfides in plant performance

Abstract Copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and sulfur (S) are important nutrients for plant health and are not absorbed by the plants effectively from the corresponding salts. Copper sulfide (CuS) and manganese sulfide (MnS) nanoparticles (NPs) are more effective and economical than Cu and Mn slats due their nano-size. This review critically summarizes the methods of CuS and MnS NPs syntheses, characterization, and their effect on plant growth, stress resilience, plant health, possible uptake mechanism, and translocation. It has been documented that CuS and MnS NPs trigger antioxidant activities in plants and antimicrobial activity against pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Although, CuS and MnS NPs are encouraging elicitor in agricultural applications, yet their effect at molecular and cellular level, soil microbiota, fate in the soil, and safety assessments need further investigation.