Nanoparticles in Agricultural Soil: Effects on Ecosystem and Crop Health

Nanotechnology is now widely recognized as an important field driving progress in science and engineering and has supported advances in many application areas. As nanoparticles are increasingly applied in agricultural systems, their behavior in soils and their effects on soil organisms and crops are still not fully clarified. This review examines the occurrence and function of nanoparticles in agricultural soils, with attention to ecosystem processes and crop performance. The environmental behavior of nanoparticles is discussed in terms of their mobility, transformation processes, and interactions with soil components. The review also summarizes commonly used mechanistic models and machine learning approaches that are applied to predict the ecological fate of nanoparticles and related environmental risks. In addition, the effects of nanoparticle exposure on major ecosystem components are analyzed, including changes in soil fertility, plant stress responses, and crop productivity, with detailed consideration of growth traits, nutrient uptake patterns, and physiological responses. Key knowledge gaps related to the application of nanoparticles in agriculture are identified, and current research needs associated with environmental safety and agronomic performance are described.