Agro-nanotechnology: A comprehensive overview of its role in groundnut production

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an economically important oilseed crop cultivated worldwide for its nutritional and industrial value. However, its productivity and quality are frequently constrained by several challenges, including abiotic and biotic stresses, post-harvest losses, and aflatoxin contamination. In recent years, agro-nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach to address these limitations by improving nutrient delivery, enhancing plant defense responses, and supporting advanced agricultural strategies. Nanoparticles have been reported to improve nodulation and rhizosphere interactions by influencing plant-microbiome dynamics, thereby contributing to enhanced crop growth and stress tolerance. However, direct evidence remains limited, and several observations are derived from related crop systems. Recent advances have highlighted the integration of nanotechnology with CRISPR-Cas genome editing systems, enabling targeted and DNA-free delivery of gene-editing components for crop improvement. It has been proposed that such approaches could contribute to improved oleic acid content, reduced allergenicity, and enhanced disease resistance in groundnut. Nano-remediation strategies have also shown potential in mitigating pesticide residues and heavy metal contamination, thereby reducing the risk of aflatoxin accumulation. Key developments in this field include nano-formulations for precise nutrient management, modulation of plant-microbiome interactions, and nanoparticle-mediated delivery systems for genome editing technologies. Nevertheless, several challenges remain, including regulatory uncertainties, potential environmental risks, nanoparticle toxicity, and the lack of standardized field-scale evaluations. Addressing these limitations through interdisciplinary research, robust risk-assessment frameworks, and crop-specific regulatory policies will be essential for the responsible implementation of agro-nanotechnology. Overall, this review highlights the emerging role of agro-nanotechnology in addressing key constraints in groundnut production, while emphasizing the need for further groundnut-specific validation and field scale applicability. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.