Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Plant Response, Interaction, Phytotoxicity and Defense Mechanisms

Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3) are the eco-friendly approach towards the plants. The plant response towards the Iron oxide nanoparticles are involved in the different physiological processes and increased the photosynthetic pigment and gene expression Fe2O3 have efficient role in water remediation and can be use as a catalyst, adsorbent and iron fertilizer. These nanoparticles interact with plant in low acidic pH and facilitate the change of Fe+3 to Fe+2 ions that are used by plants. The plant biomass (length) was enhanced by reaction to Iron oxide nanoparticles which is essential for plants growth. The tiny particles insert by the root and then transfer to shoot in plants. At lower concentration increased the plant (height, root length, biomass and chlorophyll level) growth while higher concentrations create phototoxic effect in plant due to iron (II) (III) which is involved in the Fenton (Fe) reaction and produces hydroxyl radicals (OH) in the plant. Plant adopts different mechanisms to immobilize/mobilized the iron oxide nanoparticles in the contaminated sites. This chapter review the affect of lower  and high concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles on seeding growth, biochemical, metabolic, and molecular processes in plant.