Nanoparticle technology offers a large array of applications also in plants, for either plant
biology research or agricultural practice. Indeed, plants are at the base of any ecological web, in both
natural and artificial ecosystems; nanoparticles of various origins, natural as well as anthropogenic or
engineered, are being increasingly released into the environment. Therefore, assessment of possible
risks is urgent before nanoparticles become more and more ubiquitous in every aspects of life. The
present chapter critically reviews recent knowledge on phytotoxicity of nanoparticles, considering both
lower and higher plants.
Keywords: Natural NPs, Anthropogenic NPs, Engineered NPs, Carbon NPs, Metal NPs, Metal oxide NPs,
Oxidative stress, Uptake by plants, Translocation in plants, Phytotoxicity, Microalgae, Seed germination,
Pollen germination.
