The high-permeability cellulose nanocrystals carrier facilitates zinc utilization and enhances nsLTP2-mediated plant immunity

Zinc (Zn²⁺) is an essential micronutrient that regulates plant growth, immunity, and antiviral defense mechanisms. However, its limited bioavailability often necessitates excessive application, resulting in inefficiencies in production and environmental stress. In response, we propose an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to enhance the utilization of Zn²⁺. We developed CNC@PDA@Zn²⁺ by embedding Zn²⁺ into the polydopamine (PDA) coating of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Leveraging the high cell permeability of CNCs, this material increased the transport capacity of Zn²⁺ in plants and demonstrated the ability to inactivate viral particles in vitro. Moreover, CNC@PDA@Zn²⁺ showed a superior induction of resistance while reducing Zn²⁺ content, specifically by reprogramming the expression and localization of the resistance-related non-specific lipid transfer protein 2 (nsLTP2), which enhanced the salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway in plants. Furthermore, the high conservation of nsLTP2 in flowering plants increases the potential application range of CNC@PDA@Zn²⁺. Importantly, CNC@PDA@Zn²⁺ represents the most effective Zn²⁺-based antiviral nanomaterial to date, achieving its effects at the lowest reported Zn²⁺ concentration. Overall, our results highlight that CNC@PDA@Zn²⁺ can more effectively upregulate the conserved nsLTP2, thereby inducing viral defense responses via the SA pathway. This strategy not only improves the operation and utilization rate of Zn²⁺ but also reduces its environmental residues, laying a theoretical foundation for the development of antivirus defense.