Interaction Between Copperoxide Nanoparticles and Plants: Uptake, Accumulation and Phytotoxicity

Abstract

A natural question arose when scientists and engineers began formulating and using nanoparticles (NPs): “Why are they so interesting? Why are studies of these extremely small entities are so fascinating, and why are they so challenging to handle as well as to synthesize?” The unique property possessed by all nanoparticles is where the answer lies. The term nano is adapted from the Greek word ‘dwarf’ and denotes 10−9 when used as a prefix. The use of nanoparticles (NPs) extends their potential into agricultural soils and indeed the formulations of NPs may be developed to improve nutrient and quality of crops. The rapid development of synthesized nanoparticles combined with their potential risks to public health and the environment has raised considerable concerns. A significant aspect regarding risk assessment of NPs is understanding the interaction between plants and NPs. Plants, which are fundamental components of all ecosystems, play an important role in fate and transport of NPs in the environment through uptake and bioaccumulation. The degree of accumulation of nanoparticles by plants depends on physicochemical characteristics such as shape, size, agglomeration state, chemical composition and others. Since, copper is an essential micronutrient for plants and play important role in the activation of several enzymes such as cytochrome c oxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate oxidase, amine oxidase etc. and as electron transport carriers in plants i.e. plastocyanin (Sekine R, Marzouk ER, Khaksar M, Scheckel KG, Stegemeier JP, Lowry GV, Donner E, Lombi E, J Environ Qual, 46(6):1198–1205, 2017). This chapter discusses the nature of copperoxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs), their uptake and translocation mechanisms, and their toxic effects on different plant species at both physiological and cellular levels. This chapter also addresses tolerance mechanisms generated by plants and a critical assessment of the necessity for further research.