title: Mesoporous silica nanoparticles enhance seedling growth and photosynthesis in wheat and lupin.
abstract: The application of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as a smart delivery system to agricultural crops is gaining attention but the release of nanoparticles into the environment may pose a potential threat to biological systems. We investigated the effects of MSNs on the growth and development of wheat and lupin plants grown under controlled conditions. We report a dramatic increase in the growth of wheat and lupin plants exposed to MSNs. We also found that, in leaves, MSNs localised to chloroplasts and that photosynthetic activity was significantly increased. In addition, absorption and cellular distribution of MSNs by the two plant species following root uptake were observed using scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Following uptake of MSNs at 500 and 1000 mg L(-1), there was enhancement of seed germination, increased plant biomass, total protein and chlorophyll content. Treatment of both species with MSNs at the highest concentration (2000 mg L(-1)) did not result in oxidative stress or cell membrane damage. These findings show that MSNs can be used as novel delivery systems in plants and that over the range of concentrations tested, MSNs do not have any negative impacts on plant growth or development.
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia; Key Laboratory for Tropical Fruit Biology of Ministry of Agriculture, South Subtropical Crop Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Zhanjiang 524091, China.
authors.forename: Dequan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia.
authors.forename: Hashmath I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Geelong Technology Precinct, Deakin University, Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia.
authors.forename: Zhifeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rookes
authors.affiliation: Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Geelong Technology Precinct, Deakin University, Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia.
authors.forename: Lingxue
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia. Electronic address: david.cahill@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cahill
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects; D031297:Lupinus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D016062:Porosity; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014908:Triticum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide
keywords: Mesoporous silica nanoparticles; Nanoparticle distribution; Oxidative stress; Photosynthetic activity; Seedling growth