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Nowadays, there are many critical concerns in the agricultural sector, including reduced productivity of plants due to various environmental factors. Hence, a continuous innovation of existing technologies is necessary. Among the available technologies for sustainable agriculture, nanotechnology is one of the more promising technologies and has a great scope for development in agriculture. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have attracted much attention due to their good properties and can be put into agriculture as nano-fertilizers, nano-growth regulators and nano-pesticides, although much remains to be explored about their mechanisms. Here, we review the literature on the interaction of ZnO NPs with plants through (i) uptake and transport pathways of ZnO NPs in plants. (ii) The mechanisms involved in improving growth, development and resistance. (iii) their effects on the rhizospheric environment. (iv) The toxic effects and mechanisms in plants. Our major conclusions are as follows: (1) they can be absorbed by the plant through the roots and leaves, with subsequent transformation. (2) moderate application can promote plant growth and mitigate stress, while excessive application can produce toxic effects. (3) the effects of them on the rhizospheric environment cannot be ignored. This study may provide a reference for the safe and effective use of ZnO NPs in agricultural production. • A wide range of mechanisms drive ZnO NPs to promote plant growth and alleviate stress. • ZnO NPs trigger the function of relevant regulatory genes involved in nutrient elements. • It provides new insights into the interactions between NPs and microorganisms/enzymes. • ZnO NPs can be a novel alternative for sustainable agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic orthophosphate (Pi), a major form of essential macronutrient phosphorus (P), is available in rhizosphere for acquisition and assimilation by plants. However, the limited availability of Pi in soils affects the growth and development of plants. In Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), Phosphate Deficiency Response2 (AtPDR2) , interacts genetically with Low Phosphate Root1 (AtLPR1) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and plays a key role in the inhibition of primary root growth (PRG) during Pi deficiency. However, the role of OsPDR2 , the homolog of AtPDR2 , either in roots response to Pi deficiency and/or in growth and development has not been elucidated as yet. Therefore, qRT-PCR was employed to determine the spatiotemporal effects and the availability of Pi on the expression of OsPDR2. OsPDR2 showed variable levels of relative expression pattern in vegetative and/or reproductive tissues analyzed at different stages of growth and development (5–17 weeks). Transient expression analysis revealed its subcellular localization to the ER. Further, the reverse genetics approach was employed for determining the function of OsPDR2 by generating RNAi lines (Ri2, Ri9, and Ri18). The study revealed significant inhibitory effects of RNAi-mediated suppression of OsPDR2 on the development of root, male reproductive traits, and yield. Moreover, 32P isotope labeling and split-root experiments under different Pi regime with RNAi lines revealed the function of OsPDR2 in regulating homeostasis of Pi. • Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is a key element for growth and development of plant. • OsPDR2 in O. sativa is a homolog of PDR2 but its role in Pi homeostasis not known. • OsPDR2 is induced and suppressed in Pi-deprived roots and shoot, respectively. • OsPDR2 also show variable expression in vegetative and reproductive traits (VRTs). • Knockdown of OsPDR2 revealed its effects on Pi homeostasis and on some of the VRTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]