Abstract
Abstract: Fertilizer formulation alternatives that avoid unnecessary losses and environmental impacts are being investigated in agricultural management. Seed priming with nanofertilizers prior to planting, reduces concerns about non-target dispersion; however, priming formulations and concentrations must be carefully selected to avoid undesired effects. Here, seed germination and seedling development were evaluated after seed priming with CuO nanoparticles (NPs), CuO bulk and CuCl2. The seeds were immersed in priming solutions of 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg.L−1 Cu for the three Cu sources. Following 8 hours priming, the seeds were evaluated for germination and vigor (first germination count). Root and shoot lengths were measured as well as shoot and root dry biomass. The copper NP did not show any toxic effects on corn seed germination and growth, and also promoted higher biomass when compared to the other Cu sources. On the other hand, CuCl2 primed seeds exhibited Cu-toxicity in roots and shoots for all concentrations tested. Bulk Cu priming results indicated the better role of NPs size effects. These findings support NP-seed priming as an alternative to delivery of essential micronutrients, such as copper, to corn seedlings.
Highlights
Nanotechnology is occupying a prominent evidence with new studies growing quickly in several science fields, including agriculture
The greater advantages of nanofertilizers application is due the high reactivity, enhanced nutrients bioavailability and bioactivity to plants, promoting improvements in structure, growth and development when compared to bulk size (Wang et al, 2016)
Our experimental results do not prove any toxic effects of CuO NPs on plant growth even in 160 mg.L-1 corn seed priming, on the contrary, even on doses average, CuO NPs promotes higher biomass than the other sources
Summary
Nanotechnology is occupying a prominent evidence with new studies growing quickly in several science fields, including agriculture. Some reports show CuO NPs toxicity on germination, morphology, growth, transpiration and translocation in plant tissue (Rajput et al, 2018) These effects negative impacts are exhibited in some monocots, including wheat (Triticum aestivum) (Dimkpa et al, 2012), rice (Oryza sativa) (Shaw and Hossain, 2013), barley (Hordeum vulgare) (Shaw et al, 2014) and corn (Zea mays) (Wang et al, 2012). If there is a possibility of reducing Cu concentrations using CuO NP possible toxic effects of CuO NPs would be greatly reduced In this context, the specific aim was to investigate changes in the growth and development of corn seedlings after application of increasing concentrations of Cu as CuO NP, CuO bulk and soluble source copper chloride (CuCl2) to be one of the first approximation to prime CuO NPs to corn
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