We successfully used a lanthanide labelling technique to quantify the uptake of submicrometre PS particles in lettuce and wheat. The europium chelate Eu–β-diketonate dopping PS (PS-Eu) particles were easily synthesized and accurately quantified and visualized within the crop plants.

Nanotechnology offers many potential, high impact solutions to advance agriculture sustainably, but at what cost? A sustainable solution will enhance performance with minimal environmental impact. Which nano-enabled agriculture solutions offer the greatest benefit at the lowest environmental cost?