The size of iron oxide nanoparticles determines their translocation and effects on iron and mineral nutrition of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.)

• The ability of nanoparticles (NPs) to migrate in the plant body is an important issue to ensure that the NPs reach the desired tissue and to be able to select the most efficient NPs for agricultural applications. In this study, the size impact of four different iron oxide NPs (8-10, 18-20, 20-40, and 30-50 nm referred as NP10, NP20, NP30, and NP40, respectively) on their translocation in pumpkin was elucidated. To assess the root-to-shoot trans -location, phloem sap was examined under transmission electron microscope (TEM). In addition, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometry (ICP-OES) analyses of stem and leaf tissues were performed to confirm size-dependent translocation. TEM and VSM analyses verified root-to-stem translocation of all tested NPs. The NPs treatment significantly altered the abundances of Mn, Cu, K, P, Al, Mg, and Na in tissues. The iron (Fe) content was abundant in plants treated with NP30 and NP20, and the lowest in plants treated with NP10 and NP40. Together with, only NP30 was found to be significantly trans -located to the leaves, where it was 393 mg/kg in DW, about 2.3 times that of control. These findings pointed out the size-dependent translocation of NPs. It seems that biological barriers in the vascular bundle appear to restrict the migration, especially for NPs with an average size of 40 nm and above in pumpkins. These findings are important for selecting the most suitable size of iron oxide NPs for use in agricultural practices.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Iron oxide

Nanoparticles

Translocation

Elemental analysis

Plant

Nutrition

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