Projected nanomaterials (MEs) negatively or positively affect the growth and development of plants attributed to their physical-chemical properties, application and concentrations. Previous studies have shown that ferropheric oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) affect the germination of tobacco seeds (Nicotiana tabacum) in size and dosage-dependent ways. However, little attention has been paid to the response of EM-mediated tobacco to heavy metals.

In a study published in the Journal of Nanobiotechnology, researchers from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanxi Agricultural University investigated the mechanisms of cadmium tolerance (Cd) mediated by nanoparticles in plants.

Using the tobacco cultivar Yunyan 87 (N. tabacum), the researchers investigated the effects of Fe3O4 or zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on plant growth and Cd responses in tobacco seedlings. They first determined the effects of Cd on the growth of tobacco seedlings and found that cd treatment markedly induced inhibition of growth at plant height, fresh shoot weight, root length, and fresh weight.

To confirm whether Fe3O4 and ZnO NPs played roles in mediating the response to Cd, they applied leaf exposure to Fe3O4, ZnO NPs and ionic solutions in tobacco seedlings. Leaf exposure to Fe3O4 or ZnO NPs showed great potential in relieving plant growth under Cd stress.

Compared to the seedlings treated with Cd alone, Fe3O4, ZnO NPs and ions significantly promoted root growth and fresh mass. Fe3O4 or ZnO NPs reprogrammed critical metabolic pathways, including alkaloids, amino acids, flavonoids, and the differentially accumulated metabolites involved in these pathways were significantly correlated with plant growth.

Source: Agrolink