Effects of surface ligands on the uptake and transport of gold nanoparticles in rice and tomato

•Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) modified with three types of ligand are prepared.•The specific plant uptake mechanisms of GNPs are investigated using pharmacological inhibitors.•GNPs capped with cysteine ligands are more efficiently internalized in rice and tomato.•Evidence is provided for the possible uptake mechanisms of GNPs by plants.