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Chai S, Deng W, Yang J, Guo L, Wang L, Jiang Y, Liao J, Deng X, Yang R, Zhang Y, Lu Z, Wang X, Zhang L. Physiological and molecular mechanisms of ZnO quantum dots mitigating cadmium stress in Salvia miltiorrhiza. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 470:134245. [PMID: 38603910 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
This study delved into the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the mitigation of cadmium (Cd) stress in the model medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza through the application of ZnO quantum dots (ZnO QDs, 3.84 nm). A pot experiment was conducted, wherein S. miltiorrhiza was subjected to Cd stress for six weeks with foliar application of 100 mg/L ZnO QDs. Physiological analyses demonstrated that compared to Cd stress alone, ZnO QDs improved biomass, reduced Cd accumulation, increased the content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids), and enhanced the levels of essential nutrient elements (Ca, Mn, and Cu) under Cd stress. Furthermore, ZnO QDs significantly lowered Cd-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, including H2O2, O2-, and MDA, while enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, APX, and GSH-PX). Additionally, ZnO QDs promoted the biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites, such as total protein, soluble sugars, terpenoids, and phenols, thereby mitigating Cd stress in S. miltiorrhiza. At the molecular level, ZnO QDs were found to activate the expression of stress signal transduction-related genes, subsequently regulating the expression of downstream target genes associated with metal transport, cell wall synthesis, and secondary metabolite synthesis via transcription factors. This activation mechanism contributed to enhancing Cd tolerance in S. miltiorrhiza. In summary, these findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying the mitigation of Cd stress by ZnO QDs, offering a potential nanomaterial-based strategy for enhancing Cd tolerance in medicinal plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyue Chai
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Weihao Deng
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Jianping Yang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Linfeng Guo
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Long Wang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jiang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Jinqiu Liao
- Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China; College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Xuexue Deng
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Ruiwu Yang
- Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China; College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Yunsong Zhang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Zhiwei Lu
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Xianxiang Wang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China.
| | - Li Zhang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China.
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Hareem M, Danish S, Pervez M, Irshad U, Fahad S, Dawar K, Alharbi SA, Ansari MJ, Datta R. Optimizing chili production in drought stress: combining Zn-quantum dot biochar and proline for improved growth and yield. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6627. [PMID: 38503869 PMCID: PMC10951368 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57204-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The reduction in crop productivity due to drought stress, is a major concern in agriculture. Drought stress usually disrupts photosynthesis by triggering oxidative stress and generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). The use of zinc-quantum dot biochar (ZQDB) and proline (Pro) can be effective techniques to overcome this issue. Biochar has the potential to improve the water use efficiency while proline can play an imperative role in minimization of adverse impacts of ROS Proline, functioning as an osmotic protector, efficiently mitigates the adverse effects of heavy metals on plants by maintaining cellular structure, scavenging free radicals, and ensuring the stability of cellular integrity. That's why current study explored the impact of ZQDB and proline on chili growth under drought stress. Four treatments, i.e., control, 0.4%ZQDB, 0.1 mM Pro, and 0.4%ZQDB + Pro, were applied in 4 replications following the complete randomized design. Results exhibited that 0.4%ZQDB + Pro caused an increases in chili plant dry weight (29.28%), plant height (28.12%), fruit length (29.20%), fruit girth (59.81%), and fruit yield (55.78%) over control under drought stress. A significant increment in chlorophyll a (18.97%), chlorophyll b (49.02%), and total chlorophyll (26.67%), compared to control under drought stress, confirmed the effectiveness of 0.4%ZQDB + Pro. Furthermore, improvement in leaves N, P, and K concentration over control validated the efficacy of 0.4%ZQDB + Pro against drought stress. In conclusion, 0.4%ZQDB + Pro can mitigate drought stress in chili. More investigations are suggested to declare 0.4%ZQDB + Pro as promising amendment for mitigation of drought stress in other crops as well under changing climatic situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misbah Hareem
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Woman University Multan, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Subhan Danish
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.
| | - Mahnoor Pervez
- Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Usman Irshad
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Shah Fahad
- Department of Agronomy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 23200, Pakistan.
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Khadim Dawar
- Department of Soil and Environmental Science, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Sulaiman Ali Alharbi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box -2455, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Javed Ansari
- Department of Botany, Hindu College Moradabad (Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University Bareilly), Moradabad, India
| | - Rahul Datta
- Department of Geology and Pedology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 61300, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Chai S, Yang Z, Deng X, Wang L, Jiang Y, Liao J, Yang R, Wang X, Zhang L. ZnO quantum dots alleviate salt stress in Salvia miltiorrhiza by enhancing growth, scavenging reactive oxygen species, and modulating stress-responsive genes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 344:123363. [PMID: 38242309 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Experiments were conducted to investigate the alleviating effects of ZnO quantum dots (ZnO QDs) on salt stress in Salvia miltiorrhiza by comparing them with conventional ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The results demonstrated that compared with salt stress alone, foliar application of ZnO QDs significantly improved the biomass as well as the total chlorophyll and carotenoids contents under salt stress. ZnO QDs reduced H2O2 and MDA levels, decreased non-enzymatic antioxidant (ASA and GSH) content, and improved antioxidant enzyme (POD, SOD, CAT, PAL, and PPO) activity under salt stress. Metal elemental analysis further demonstrated that the ZnO QDs markedly increased Zn and K contents while decreasing Na content, resulting in a lower Na/K ratio compared to salt stress alone. Finally, RNA sequencing results indicated that ZnO QDs primarily regulated genes associated with stress-responsive pathways, including plant hormone signal transduction, the MAPK signaling pathway, and metabolic-related pathways, thereby alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress. In comparison, ZnO NPs did not exhibit similar effects in terms of improving plant growth, enhancing the antioxidant system, or regulating stress-responsive genes under salt stress. These findings highlight the distinct advantages of ZnO QDs and suggest their potential as a valuable tool for mitigating salt stress in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyue Chai
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Ziya Yang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Xuexue Deng
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Long Wang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jiang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Jinqiu Liao
- Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Ruiwu Yang
- Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Xianxiang Wang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Li Zhang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China.
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Abdelhameed RE, Abdalla H, Ibrahim MA. Unique properties of titanium dioxide quantum dots assisted regulation of growth and biochemical parameters of Hibiscus sabdariffa plants. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:112. [PMID: 38365586 PMCID: PMC10870679 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04794-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Owing to the uniqueness of quantum dots (QDs) as a potential nanomaterial for agricultural application, hence in the present study, titanium dioxide quantum dots (TiO2 QDs) were successfully synthesized via sol-gel technique and the physico-chemical properties of the prepared TiO2 QDs were analyzed. Based on the results, the TiO2 QDs showed the presence of anatase phase of TiO2. TEM examination revealed spherical QDs morphology with an average size of 7.69 ± 1.22 nm. The large zeta potential value (-20.9 ± 2.3 mV) indicate greater stability of the prepared TiO2 QDs in aqueous solutions. Moreover, in this work, the application of TiO2 QDs on Hibiscus sabdariffa plants was conducted, where H. sabdariffa plants were foliar sprayed twice a week in the early morning with different concentrations of TiO2 QDs (0, 2, 5, 10, 15 and 30 ppm) to evaluate their influence on these plants in terms of morphological indexes and biochemical parameters. The results exhibited an increasing impact of the different used concentrations of TiO2 QDs on morphological indexes, such as fresh weight, dry weight, shoot length, root length, and leaf number, and physio-biochemical parameters like chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid contents, total pigments and total phenolic contents. Remarkably, the most prominent result was recorded at 15 ppm TiO2 QDs where plant height, total protein and enzymatic antioxidants like catalase and peroxidase were noted to increase by 47.6, 20.5, 29.5 and 38.3%, respectively compared to control. Therefore, foliar spraying with TiO2 QDs positively serves as an effective strategy for inducing optimistic effects in H. sabdariffa plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reda E Abdelhameed
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Sharqia, 44519, Egypt.
| | - Hanan Abdalla
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Sharqia, 44519, Egypt
| | - Manar A Ibrahim
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Sharqia, 44519, Egypt
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Timilsina A, Adhikari K, Chen H. Foliar application of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles reduced Cd content in shoot of lettuce. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 338:139589. [PMID: 37478984 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Though Zinc (Zn) supplementation can mitigate root-based Cadmium (Cd) uptake in plants, the impact of foliar-applied Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on this process remains under-explored. This study investigates the influence of foliar-applied ZnO NPs on the growth of lettuce and its Cd uptake in Cd-contaminated soil in greenhouse setting. Green synthesized ZnO (G-ZnO) NPs (10 and 100 mg/L) using sweet potato leaf extracts were used, and compared with commercially available ZnO (C-ZnO) NPs (100 mg/L) for their efficacy. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used for G-ZnO NPs characterization. Shoot dry weight, antioxidant activity, and chlorophyll content were all negatively affected by Cd but positively affected by ZnO NPs application. ZnO NPs application resulted in a notable reduction in lettuce Cd uptake, with the highest reduction (43%) observed at 100 mg/L G-ZnO NPs. In the lettuce shoot, Zn and Cd concentration showed a significant inverse correlation (R2 = 0.79-0.9, P < 0.05). This study offers insights into the impact of chemical and green synthesized ZnO NPs on enhancing crop growth under stress conditions, and their role in modulating Cd uptake in plants, indicating potential implications for sustainable agricultural practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Timilsina
- Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR, 71601, United States
| | - Kaushik Adhikari
- Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR, 71601, United States
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR, 71601, United States.
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Wang H, Qian C, Jiang H, Liu S, Yang D, Cui J. Visible-Light-Driven Zinc Oxide Quantum Dots for the Management of Bacterial Fruit Blotch Disease and the Improvement of Melon Seedlings Growth. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:2773-2783. [PMID: 36703540 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c06204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial fruit blotch is one of the most destructing diseases of melon producing-regions. Here, zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) were synthesized, and their antibacterial activity against Acidovorax citrulli was investigated. The results indicated that the obtained ZnO QDs displayed 5.7-fold higher antibacterial activity than a commercial Zn-based bactericide (zinc thiazole). Interestingly, the antibacterial activity of ZnO QDs irradiated with light was 1.8 times higher than that of the dark-treated group. It was because ZnO QDs could induce the generation of hydroxyl radicals and then up-regulate the expression of oxidative stress-related genes, finally leading to the loss of cell membrane integrity. A pot experiment demonstrated that foliar application of ZnO QDs significantly reduced the bacterial fruit blotch disease incidence (32.0%). Furthermore, the supply of ZnO QDs could improve the growth of infected melon seedlings by activating the antioxidant defense system. This work provides a promising light-activated quantum-bactericide for the management of pathogenic bacterial infections in melon crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haodong Wang
- College of Agriculture/Key Laboratory of Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resources Utilization, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang832003, China
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510650, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Cancan Qian
- College of Agriculture/Key Laboratory of Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resources Utilization, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang832003, China
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510650, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510650, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Shengxue Liu
- Analysis and Test Center, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang832003, China
| | - Desong Yang
- College of Agriculture/Key Laboratory of Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resources Utilization, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang832003, China
| | - Jianghu Cui
- National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510650, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Environmental Pollution and Control, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
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Sun M, Zhao C, Shang H, Hao Y, Han L, Qian K, White JC, Ma C, Xing B. ZnO quantum dots outperform nanoscale and bulk particles for enhancing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) growth and nutritional values. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159330. [PMID: 36228785 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedlings were exposed by foliar or root applications to Zn in different nanoscale and non-nanoscale forms (40 mg Zn/L) under hydroponic conditions for 15 days. Under foliar exposure, ZnO QDs significantly promoted tomato growth, while ZnO NPs and BPs had lower impacts. ZnO QDs increased fresh weight and plant height by 42.02 % and 21.10 % relative to the untreated controls, respectively. The ionic control (ZnSO4·7H2O, 176.6 mg/L) decreased fresh weight by 39.31 %. ZnO QDs also significantly increased the Chla/Chlb ratio, as well as carotenoids and protein content by 7.70 %, 8.90 % and 26.33 %, respectively, over the untreated controls, suggesting improvement in seedling photosynthetic performance. Antioxidant enzyme (POD, PPO and PAL) activities in ZnO QDs treated shoots were significantly decreased by 31.1 %, 17.8 % and 48.3 %, respectively, indicating no overt oxidative damage from exposure. Importantly, the translocation factor of Zn (TFZn) in the foliar exposure of the ZnO QDs treatment was 73.2 %, 97.1 % and 276.9 % greater than the NPs, BPs, and ionic controls, respectively. Overall, these findings clearly demonstrate that foliar spray of nanoscale nutrients at the appropriate concentration and size can significantly increase crop growth and be a sustainable approach to nano-enabled agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Sun
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chenchen Zhao
- College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Heping Shang
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yi Hao
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lanfang Han
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Kun Qian
- College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Jason C White
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT 06504, USA
| | - Chuanxin Ma
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Baoshan Xing
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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Xu X, Zhao C, Qian K, Sun M, Hao Y, Han L, Wang C, Ma C, White JC, Xing B. Physiological responses of pumpkin to zinc oxide quantum dots and nanoparticles. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 296:118723. [PMID: 34952181 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated that the potential of soil or foliar applied 15 mg/L zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QD, 11.7 nm) to enhance pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) growth and biomass in comparison with the equivalent concentrations of other sizes of ZnO particles, ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs, 43.3 nm) and ZnO bulk particles (ZnO BPs, 496.7 nm). In addition, ZnSO4 was used to set a Zn2+ ionic control. For foliar exposure, ZnO QD increased dry mass by 56% relative to the controls and values were 17.3% greater than that of the ZnO NPs particles. The cumulative water loss in the ZnO QD treatment was 10% greater than with ZnO NPs, suggesting that QD could better enhance pumpkin growth. For the root exposure, biomass and accumulative water loss equivalent across all Zn treatments. No adverse effects in terms of pigment (chlorophyll and anthocyanin) contents were evident across all Zn types regardless exposure routes. Foliar exposure to ZnO QD caused 40% increases in shoot Zn content as compared to the control; the highest Zn content was evident in the Zn2+ ionic treatment, although this did not lead to growth enhancement. In addition, the shoot and root content of other macro- and micro-nutrients were largely equivalent across all the treatments. The contents of other nutritional compounds, including amino acids, total protein and sugar, were also significantly increased by foliar exposure of ZnO QD. The total protein in the ZnO QD was 53% higher than the ZnO particle treatments in the root exposure group. Taken together, our findings suggest that ZnO QDs have significant potential as a novel and sustainable nano-enabled agrichemical and strategies should be developed to optimize benefit conferred to amended crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Xu
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Chenchen Zhao
- College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Kun Qian
- College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Min Sun
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yi Hao
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Lanfang Han
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Cuiping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Chuanxin Ma
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Jason C White
- The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, 06504, USA
| | - Baoshan Xing
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
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