Intergenerational Transfer of Nano-CeO₂ in Clonal Strawberry and Associated Modulation of the Hormonal Network to Enhance Offspring Ramet Growth

Beneficial nanoparticles offer new opportunities to boost agricultural productivity. However, their intergenerational transport and associated effects in clonal plants remain unclear at an environmentally relevant concentration. Herein, we quantified the accumulation and translocation of nano-CeO₂ in strawberry and its impacts on multigeneration ramet growth. Following 80 day exposure to 50 mg/kg nano CeO₂, parent ramet roots retained 1.86 × 10³ μg/kg Ce. First/second offspring ramets accumulated 135/425 μg/kg Ce via connected stolons, with translocation factors of 0.466/3.17, demonstrating an amplified transport efficiency across generations. The translocated nano-CeO₂ significantly increased root and shoot biomass by 139%/54% and 74%/75% in first/second offspring ramets, respectively, which was corroborated by stimulated photosynthesis (82%/98%). Transcriptome revealed that nano-CeO₂ -mediated hub genes PsaK, PHYB, COP1, and HY5 involved in photosynthesis and circadian rhythm interacted with phytohormonal regulators AUX1, MYC2, and PIF4, providing a mechanistic basis for promoted offspring ramet growth. Notably, hormonal analysis exhibited that nano-CeO₂ significantly modulated auxin, cytokinin, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid levels across multiple generations, thereby activating a hormone-induced regulatory network. Protein–protein interaction underscored the potential of nano-CeO₂ to promote clonal plant productivity by modulating hormone-dependent responses. Overall, our study offered novel insights into nanomaterial fate in clonal systems and strategies for agricultural development.