Role of Engineered Carbon Nanoparticles (CNPs) in Promoting Growth and Metabolism of Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek: Insights into the Biochemical and Physiological Responses.

Gyan Singh Shekhawat,Lovely Mahawar,Vishnu D Rajput,Rupesh Kumar Singh,Tatiana Minkina,Priyadarshani Rajput

doi:10.3390/plants10071317

Abstract

Despite the documented significance of carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) in plant development, the knowledge of the impact of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) dosage on physiological responses of crop plants is still scarce. Hence, the present study investigates the concentration-dependent impact of CNPs on the morphology and physiology of Vigna radiata. Crop seedlings were subjected to CNPs at varying concentrations (25 to 200 µM) in hydroponic medium for 96 h to evaluate various physiological parameters. CNPs at an intermediate concentration (100 to 150 µM) favor the growth of crops by increasing the total chlorophyll content (1.9-fold), protein content (1.14-fold) and plant biomass (fresh weight: 1.2-fold, dry weight: 1.14-fold). The highest activity of antioxidants (SOD, GOPX, APX and proline) was also recorded at these concentrations, which indicates a decline in ROS level at 100 µM. At the highest CNPs treatment (200 µM), aggregation of CNPs was observed more on the root surface and accumulated in higher concentrations in the plant tissues, which limits the absorption and translocation of nutrients to plants, and hence, at these concentrations, the oxidative damage imposed by CNPs is evaded with the rise in activity of antioxidants. These findings show the importance of CNPs as nano-fertilizers that not only improve plant growth by their slow and controlled release of nutrients, but also enhance the stress-tolerant and phytoremediation efficiency of plants in the polluted environment due to their enormous absorption potential.

Highlights

Nanotechnology is a leading field of science which involves the manipulation of material at the nanoscale (1 to 100 nm in size) to create functional materials that acquire peculiar properties over their bulk materials
Biomass of seedlings subjected to carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) for 96 h increased until 100 μM, and a significant reduction was observed at elevated concentrations (150 and 200 μM)
A similar pattern of results was observed for tolerance index (TI) and leaf water content (LWC), which were noted to rise with improved dosage of carbon nanoparticles up to 100 μM and decline with a subsequent rise in dosage

Summary

Introduction

Nanotechnology is a leading field of science which involves the manipulation of material at the nanoscale (1 to 100 nm in size) to create functional materials that acquire peculiar properties over their bulk materials. Carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs), including fullerenes, nanodots, nanoparticles, nanotubes, nano-horns, nanobeads, nano-diamonds and nanofibers [1], possess novel physiochemical properties such as small surface area, increased chemical reactivity, increased ability to penetrate biological cells and typical surface morphology. These special properties vary from their bulk materials due to the differences in agglomeration shape, small size and surface structure [2], as well as due to the molecular stability of constructive CNMs and their homogeneous dispersive character in the application medium [3]. Certain studies have raised questions about the potential use of nanoparticles in plants to enhance the agricultural productivity regarding their negative impacts on living organisms and surroundings

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