Impacts of metallic nanoparticles application on the agricultural soils microbiota

Soils play a fundamental role in terrestrial life maintenance. However, agricultural soil pollution with metals (specifically, heavy metals) has resulted in a global ecological problem spanning decades. Agricultural pesticides and metal-based fertilizers overuse in the crop is an imminent threat to the ecosystem. In addition, the increasing demand for food has resulted in unsustainable practices in agriculture and severe damage to living organisms in the soil. Soil microbiota (SM) is a determining factor in the terrestrial environment quality since it plays an essential role in biogeochemical cycles and contributes enormously to successful food production. However, although more efficient than traditional agrochemicals, metallic nanoparticles (Me-NPs) use - sometimes overused - in agriculture has triggered numerous impacts on SM, mainly on microbial structure and diversity. Thus, this perspective aimed to address the Me-NPs application impacts in agriculture, mainly on the soil microbiota, and expand the discussion to the dangers to the ecosystem balance.

Automated summary

Soils play a crucial role in supporting life and food production, but agricultural soil pollution and excessive use of metallic nanoparticles have significant impacts on soil microbiota.