Metabolic profile and physiological mechanisms underlying the promoting effects of TiO2NPs on the photosynthesis and growth of tomato

•Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) can promote photosynthesis.•Tomato plants treated with 0.5 g L−1 of TiO2NPs had a better canopy structure.•Tomato plants treated with 0.5 g L−1 of TiO2NPs developed a better root system.•TiO2NPs treatment also promoted photosynthesis pathways in tomato plants.