Synergistic Effects of Nanoparticles and Plant Growth Regulators in Enhancing Fruit Quality and Yield: Mechanisms and Future Perspectives: A review
Keywords:
Nanoparticles, Plant Growth Regulators, Fruit Quality, Yield, Synergistic Interaction, HorticultureAbstract
Integrating nanomaterials with phytohormonal regulators represents an increasingly compelling strategy for elevating both the yield and the commercial quality of fruit-bearing horticultural species. The present review synthesizes and critically evaluates current evidence on the physiological, biochemical, and molecular consequences of nanoparticles (NPs) and plant growth regulators (PGRs) deployed either independently or in conjunction. Metal- and metalloid-based nanomaterials, notably zinc oxide (ZnO), silicon dioxide (SiO₂), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂), have been shown to facilitate mineral acquisition, strengthen photosynthetic performance, and stimulate the enzymatic antioxidant machinery. Phytohormones such as auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins, by contrast, govern key developmental events spanning fruit set, enlargement, and ripening. When co-applied, these two classes of agents act synergistically, yielding larger fruit, richer biochemical composition, fewer physiological disorders, and extended postharvest longevity, effects attributable to the coordinated modulation of hormonal signaling networks, antioxidant defenses, and transcriptional regulation. Several molecular pathways underpinning this synergy are delineated herein. Nevertheless, the precise nature of NP–PGR interactions at the molecular level remains insufficiently resolved, and species-specific, environment-tailored application protocols have yet to be established, underscoring the need for targeted future investigation.
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