Quaternary ammonium iminofullerenes promote root growth and osmotic-stress tolerance in maize via ROS neutralization and improved energy status

Cu-II-directed self-assembly of fullerenols to ameliorate copper stress in maize seedlings

Widespread use of copper-based agrochemical may cause copper excessive accumulation in agricultural soil to seriously threaten crop production. Recently, fullerenols are playing important roles in helping crops build resistance to abiotic stresses by giving ingenious and successful resolutions. However, there is a lack of knowledge on their beneficial effects in crops under stresses induced by heavy metals. Herein, the visual observation of Cu2+-mediated assembly of fullerenols via electrostatic and coordination actions was carried out in vitro, showing that water-soluble nanocomplexes and water-insoluble cross-linking nanohybrids were selectively fabricated by precisely adjusting feeding ratios of fullerenols and CuSO4. Furthermore, maize simultaneous exposure of fullerenols and CuSO4 solutions was tested to investigate the comparative effects of seed germination and seedling growth relative to exposure of CuSO4 alone. Under moderate Cu2+ stresses (40 and 80 μM), fullerenols significantly mitigated the detrimental effects of seedlings, including phenotype, root and shoot elongation, biomass accumulation, antioxidant capacity, and Cu2+ uptake and copper transporter-related gene expressions in roots. Under 160 μM of Cu2+ as a stressor, fullerenols also accelerated germination of Cu2+-stressed seeds eventually up to the level of the control. Summarily, fullerenols can enhance tolerance of Cu2+-stressed maize mainly due to direct detoxification through fullerenol-Cu2+ interactions restraining the Cu2+ intake into roots and reducing free Cu2+ content in vivo, as well as fullerenol-maize interactions to enhance resistance by maintaining balance of reactive oxygen species and optimizing the excretion and transport of Cu2+. This will unveil valuable insights into the beneficial roles of fullerenols and its mechanism mode in alleviating heavy metal stress on crop plants.

Regulatory effect of graphene on growth and carbon/nitrogen metabolism of maize (Zea mays L.)

BACKGROUND

Leakage of graphene into the environment has resulted from its increasing use. Although the impact of graphene on ecosystems is already in full swing, information regarding its impact on plants is lacking. In particular, the effects of graphene on plant growth and development vary, and basic information on the regulation of carbon and nitrogen metabolism is missing. In the current study, the way in which graphene (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 g kg-1 ) affects maize seedlings was studied in terms of morphological and biochemical indicators. The purpose of this study was to understand better how graphene regulates plant carbon and nitrogen metabolism and to understand its interactions with leaf structure and plant growth.

RESULTS

The results showed that 50 g kg-1 graphene increased plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and dry weight; however, this was inhibited by the high level of graphene (200 g kg-1 ). Further studies indicated that different concentrations of graphene could increase leaf thickness and vascular bundle area as well as the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of leaves; 25 and 50 g kg-1 graphene enhanced the leaves stomatal conductance (Cond), transpiration rate (Tr), intercellular carbon dioxide (Ci), and chlorophyll content. Higher concentrations decreased the above indicators. At 50 g kg-1 , graphene increased the activity of carbon/nitrogen metabolism enzymes by increasing carbon metabolites (fructose, sucrose, and soluble sugars) and soluble proteins (nitrogen metabolites). These enzymes included sucrose synthase (SS), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthase (GS), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT).

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that graphene can regulate the activities of key enzymes involved in carbon and nitrogen metabolism effectively and supplement nitrogen metabolism through substances produced by carbon metabolism by improving photosynthetic efficiency, thus maintaining the balance between carbon and nitrogen and promoting plant growth and development. The relationship between these indexes explained the mechanism by which graphene supported the growth of maize seedlings by enhancing photosynthetic carbon metabolism and maintaining metabolic balance. For maize seedling growth, graphene treatment with 50 g kg-1 soil is recommended. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Effect of Temperature and Water Stresses on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Temperature and moisture are essential factors in germination and seedling growth. The purpose of this research was to assess the germination and growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds under various abiotic stressors. It was conducted in the Agronomy Institute of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gödöllő, Hungary. Six distinct temperature levels were used: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 °C. Stresses of drought and waterlogging were quantified using 25 water levels based on single-milliliter intervals and as a percentage based on thousand kernel weight (TKW). Seedling density was also tested. Temperature significantly influenced germination duration and seedling development. 20 °C was ideal with optimal range of 15 °C to less than 25 °C. Germination occurred at water amount of 75% of the TKW, and its ideal range was lower and narrower than the range for seedling development. Seed size provided an objective basis for defining germination water requirements. The current study established an optimal water supply range for wheat seedling growth of 525–825 percent of the TKW. Fifteen seeds within a 9 cm Petri dish may be preferred to denser populations.

Quaternary ammonium iminofullerenes improve root growth of oxidative-stress maize through ASA-GSH cycle modulating redox homeostasis of roots and ROS-mediated root-hair elongation

Background

Various environmental factors are capable of oxidative stress to result in limiting plant development and agricultural production. Fullerene-based carbon nanomaterials can enable radical scavenging and positively regulate plant growth. Even so, to date, our knowledge about the mechanism of fullerene-based carbon nanomaterials on plant growth and response to oxidative stress is still unclear.

Results

20 or 50 mg/L quaternary ammonium iminofullerenes (IFQA) rescued the reduction in root lengths and root-hair densities and lengths of Arabidopsis and maize induced by accumulation of endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) under 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole or exogenous H₂O₂ treatment, as well as the root active absorption area and root activity under exogenous H₂O₂ treatment. Meanwhile, the downregulated contents of ascorbate acid (ASA) and glutathione (GSH) and the upregulated contents of dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and H₂O₂ indicated that the exogenous H₂O₂ treatment induced oxidative stress of maize. Nonetheless, application of IFQA can increase the ratios of ASA/DHA and GSH/GSSG, as well as the activities of glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase, and decrease the contents of H₂O₂ and MDA. Moreover, the root lengths were inhibited by buthionine sulfoximine, a specific inhibitor of GSH biosynthesis, and subsequently rescued after addition of IFQA. The results suggested that IFQA could alleviate exogenous-H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress on maize by regulating the ASA-GSH cycle. Furthermore, IFQA reduced the excess accumulation of ROS in root hairs, as well as the NADPH oxidase activity under H₂O₂ treatment. The transcript levels of genes affecting ROS-mediated root-hair development, such as RBOH B, RBOH C, PFT1, and PRX59, were significantly induced by H₂O₂ treatment and then decreased after addition of IFQA.

Conclusion

The positive effect of fullerene-based carbon nanomaterials on maize-root-hair growth under the induced oxidative stress was discovered. Application IFQA can ameliorate oxidative stress to promote maize-root growth through decreasing NADPH-oxidase activity, improving the scavenging of ROS by ASA-GSH cycle, and regulating the expressions of genes affecting maize-root-hair development. It will enrich more understanding the actual mechanism of fullerene-based nanoelicitors responsible for plant growth promotion and protection from oxidative stress.

Graphical Abstract