Nanoparticles Interfere with Metal Nutrition in Plants: Study Reveals Subtle Impacts

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Researchers at Utah State University have discovered that exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) can have subtle impacts on metal nutrition in plants. The study, published in the journal Ecotoxicology, found that NPs can alter the levels of essential metals such as copper, zinc, and iron in plants, leading to potential phytotoxic effects.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that nanoparticles (NPs) can increase the levels of copper, zinc, and sodium in plant shoots, while decreasing the levels of iron, manganese, and calcium.
  • Exposure to CuO NPs increased soluble copper in the growth matrix by 23-fold, while CuO:ZnO NPs increased soluble copper (26-fold), zinc (127-fold), and calcium (4.5-fold).
  • The study also found that root colonization with Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6 (PcO6) reduced the uptake of copper and sodium by plant shoots.
  • The researchers observed that CuO NPs inhibited ferric reductase activity (up to 49%) but stimulated cupric reductase activity (up to 273%).
  • The study concluded that NP exposure can have subtle impacts on secondary processes such as metal nutrition in plants, in addition to apparent phytotoxic effects.

Statistics:

  • 10-66% inhibition of growth in roots due to CuO NPs exposure.
  • 9-25% inhibition of growth in shoots due to CuO NPs exposure.
  • 23-fold increase in soluble copper in the growth matrix due to CuO NPs exposure (500 mg/kg).
  • 26-fold increase in soluble copper, 127-fold increase in soluble zinc, and 4.5-fold increase in soluble calcium due to CuO:ZnO NPs exposure (500 mg/kg).
  • 3.8-fold increase in shoot accumulations of copper due to CuO NP exposure (500 mg/kg).
  • 15% reduction in shoot uptake of copper due to root colonization with PcO6.

Sources:

  • "Nano-CuO and interaction with nano-ZnO or soil bacterium provide evidence for the interference of nanoparticles in metal nutrition of plants." Ecotoxicology, 2015;24(1):119-129.
  • Springers: www.springer.com
  • Springer Link: www.springerlink.com/content/0963-9292/
  • Department of Biological Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA.