Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the phytotoxicity of thin-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. Three different CNTs, including hollow multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), Fe-filled carbon nanotubes (Fe-CNTs), and Fe-Co-filled carbon nanotubes (FeCo-CNTs), were evaluated. The CNTs significantly inhibited rice growth by decreasing the concentrations of endogenous plant hormones. The carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N ratio) significantly increased in rice roots after treatments with CNTs, and all three types of CNTs had the same effects on the C:N ratio. Interestingly, the increase in the C:N ratio in roots was largely because of decreased N content, indicating that the CNTs significantly decreased N assimilation. Analyses of the Fe and Co contents in plant tissues, transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis proved that the CNTs could penetrate the cell wall and the cell membrane, and then enter the root cells. According to the author's knowledge, this is the first time to study the relationship between carbon nanotubes and carbon nitrogen ratio and plant hormones.
Highlights
First discovered by Lijima in 1991, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are generally categorized as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based on the number of layers of carbon atoms [1,2,3,4]
Our results showed that three types of nanoparticles (MWCNTs, filled carbon nanotubes (Fe-CNTs) and FeCo-CNTs) had toxic effects on rice seedlings, and inhibited the growth and development of roots and shoots
The C:N ratio in rice roots significantly increased after treatments with CNTs, and all three types of carbon nanoparticles had the same effect
Summary
First discovered by Lijima in 1991, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are generally categorized as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based on the number of layers of carbon atoms [1,2,3,4]. Carbon Nanotubes Affect Growth Development Rice Seedlings Changing C:N Ratio and Plant Hormones
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