Pepper plants response to metal nanoparticles and chitosan in nutrient media

Abstract

Neutral nanoparticles (NPs) of iron, zinc, copper or their compositions were introduced into nutrient Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium instead of traditional metal salts with/without chitosan supplements to obtain healthy and crop productive plants. Metal NPs concentrations were: Fe NPs (0.06, 0.3, 3.0); Zn NPs (0.016, 0.08, 0.4); Cu NPs (0.004, 0.0008, 0.00016) (mg L-1). Pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivar LJ-King was grown on modified media in aseptic conditions. After 45 days, root and stem length, root activity, green mass gain and chlorophyll content in leaves were measured. Pepper plants grown on media with metal NPs showed increased root length and activity (for Fe, Zn, Cu NPs and their composition) and chlorophyll content in leaves (for NPs Fe and Cu). However, addition of Chitosan modified the effects. Monitoring of pepper grown on MS with NPs composition (Fe: Zn: Cu as 3.0:1.0:0.004 mg L-1) with electron microscope demonstrated no NPs accumulation in roots, sprouts and leaves.