A Glimpse on Silver Nanoparticles Genotoxicity in Higher Plants

Particles with sizes between 1 and 100nm are termed as nanoparticles and are used commercially across several industrial processes. Since last four decades, different varieties of nanostructures are produced and among them the market potential of AgNPs is predicted to rise from recent 0.79 billion to $2.54 billion by 2022 [1]. Different mode of applications of AgNPs makes them bioavailable in the environment. Soil environment are polluted by means of land application for biosolids wastewater treatment, accidental spills, applications of agrochemicals (e.g., nano-pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides), washing and aging silver-containing products [2-4]. Higher exposure of AgNPs to different plants leads to penetration of the nanoparticles into the plants cells. The interference of AgNPs during DNA repair was the most detrimental one which finally leads to blockage of synthesis of DNA. Depolymerization of spindle fibers, partial suppression of spindle fiber formation, interruption in mitotic fuse and inappropriate segregation of daughter cells occurs in different plant cells exposed to AgNPs. Thus the present review summarizes the genotoxic effect of AgNPs on higher plants.