Disturbance in Mineral Nutrition of Fenugreek Grown in Water Polluted with Nanosized Titanium Dioxide.

Abstract

Nanoparticle (NPs) toxicity in the plant has drawn considerable attention. Fenugreek plants were cultivated for 16 days in hydroponic experiments and treated with 50 and 100mg L- 1 titanium oxide (TiO2) NPs of two sizes [23 ± 1.6nm (D1) and 83 ± 15nm. (D2)]. The level of Ti in roots was higher than that of leaves and stems of plants treated with 100mg L- 1 of TiO2 NPs (D1, D2). Ti caused a depletion of Ca and Mn compared with root control. The titane (Ti) damage to root cellular membranes could alter the plant's capacity to absorb and transport some nutrients. In our study, increasing the size of TiO2 NPs produced increases in the contents of Mg, Zn and Mn, and a decline in the contents of Fe and Cu in leaves and stems. In roots, Fe and Cu decreased after TiO2 NPs (D2) exposure. Changes in the fenugreek plant mineral composition were assessed, and physiological disturbances could be directly correlated with exposure to NPs.