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Assessment of the Phytotoxicity of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on Two Crop Plants, Maize ( Zea mays L.) and Rice ( Oryza sativa L.)

Author

Listed:
  • Zhongzhou Yang

    (Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jing Chen

    (Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Runzhi Dou

    (Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China)

  • Xiang Gao

    (Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
    Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Changchun 130024, China)

  • Chuanbin Mao

    (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA)

  • Li Wang

    (Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China)

Abstract

In this study, the phytotoxicity of seven metal oxide nanoparticles(NPs)—titanium dioxide (nTiO 2 ), silicon dioxide (nSiO 2 ), cerium dioxide (nCeO 2 ), magnetite (nFe 3 O 4 ), aluminum oxide (nAl 2 O 3 ), zinc oxide (nZnO) and copper oxide (nCuO)—was assessed on two agriculturally significant crop plants (maize and rice). The results showed that seed germination was not affected by any of the seven metal oxide NPs. However, at the concentration of 2000 mg·L −1 , the root elongation was significantly inhibited by nCuO (95.73% for maize and 97.28% for rice), nZnO (50.45% for maize and 66.75% for rice). On the contrary, minor phytotoxicity of nAl 2 O 3 was only observed in maize, and no obvious toxic effects were found in the other four metal oxide NPs. By further study we found that the phytotoxic effects of nZnO, nAl 2 O 3 and nCuO (25 to 2000 mg·L − 1 ) were concentration dependent, and were not caused by the corresponding Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ and Al 3+ ions (0.11 mg·L − 1 , 1.27 mg·L − 1 and 0.74 mg·L − 1 , respectively). Furthermore, ZnO NPs (<50 nm) showed greater toxicity than ZnO microparticles(MPs)(<5 μm) to root elongation of both maize and rice. Overall, this study provided valuable information for the application of engineered NPs in agriculture and the assessment of the potential environmental risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhongzhou Yang & Jing Chen & Runzhi Dou & Xiang Gao & Chuanbin Mao & Li Wang, 2015. "Assessment of the Phytotoxicity of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on Two Crop Plants, Maize ( Zea mays L.) and Rice ( Oryza sativa L.)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-10, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:12:p:14963-15109:d:59600
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    Cited by:

    1. Eva Kovačec & Marjana Regvar, 2024. "Effects of Copper Compounds on Phenolic Composition of the Common and Tartary Buckwheat Seedlings," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-13, February.

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