Multiwalled carbon nanotubes enter broccoli cells enhancing growth and water uptake of plants exposed to salinity.
BACKGROUND
Carbon nanotubes have been shown to improve the germination and growth of some plant species, extending the applicability of the emerging nano-biotechnology field to crop science.


RESULTS
In this work, exploitation of commercial multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in control and 100 mM NaCl-treated broccoli was performed. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that MWCNTs can enter the cells in adult plants with higher accumulation under salt stress. Positive effect of MWCNTs on growth in NaCl-treated plants was consequence of increased water uptake, promoted by more-favourable energetic forces driving this process, and enhanced net assimilation of CO2. MWCNTs induced changes in the lipid composition, rigidity and permeability of the root plasma membranes relative to salt-stressed plants. Also, enhanced aquaporin transduction occurred, which improved water uptake and transport, alleviating the negative effects of salt stress.


CONCLUSIONS
Our work provides new evidences about the effect of MWCNTs on plasma membrane properties of the plant cell. The positive response to MWCNTs in broccoli plants opens novel perspectives for their technological uses in new agricultural practices, especially when 1plants are exposed to saline environments.
Plant Nutrition Department, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Campus Universitario de Espinardo, Edificio 25, 30100, Murcia, Spain. mballesta@cebas.csic.es.
M Carmen
MC
Martínez-Ballesta
Plant Nutrition Department, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Campus Universitario de Espinardo, Edificio 25, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
Lavinia
L
Zapata
Laboratory of Extremophile Plants, Center of Biotechnology of Borj-Cedria (LEP-CBBC), P. O. Box 901, 2050, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia.
Najla
N
Chalbi
Plant Nutrition Department, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Campus Universitario de Espinardo, Edificio 25, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
Micaela
M
Carvajal
D001937:Brassica / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000032:analysis*; D010539:Permeability; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D054712:Salinity; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
D008055:Lipids; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D014867:Water; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D012965:Sodium Chloride
Aquaporin; Brassica oleracea; Lipid composition; Multiwalled carbon nanotubes; Root hydraulic conductance; Stomatal conductance