title: Influence of ZrO2, SiO2, Al2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles on maize seed germination under different growth conditions.
abstract: The focus of this investigation is to evaluate the phytotoxicity of selected metal oxide nanoparticles and microparticles as a function of maize seed germination and root elongation under different growth conditions (Petri plate, cotton and soil). The results of seed germination and root elongation experiments reveal that all the growth conditions show almost similar results. Alumina (Al2O3) and titania (TiO2) nanoparticles significantly reduce the germination percentage, whereas silica (SiO2) nanoparticles and microparticles enhance the same. The results of nanoparticles and microparticles of zirconia (ZrO2) are found to be same as those of controls. Root elongation is enhanced by SiO2 nanoparticles and microparticles treatment, whereas inhibition is observed with Al2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles and microparticles. The X-ray fluorescence spectrometry data of the treated and control seed samples show that seeds uptake SiO2 particles to a greater extent followed by TiO2, Al2O3 and ZrO2. In addition, the uptake of nanoparticles is found to be greater than that of microparticles. Thus, the tested metal oxides penetrated seeds at the nanoscale as compared with the microscale. This study clarifies phytotoxicity of nanoparticles treated in different growth substrates and highlights the impact of nanoparticles on environment and agricultural systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, K.S. Rangasamy College of Arts and Science, Tiruchengode 637215, Tamil Nadu.
authors.forename: Gopalu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karunakaran
authors.affiliation: Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode 637215, Tamil Nadu.
authors.forename: Rangaraj
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suriyaprabha
authors.affiliation: Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode 637215, Tamil Nadu. veerajendran@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Venkatachalam
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rajendran
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, K.S. Rangasamy College of Arts and Science, Tiruchengode 637215, Tamil Nadu.
authors.forename: Narayanasamy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kannan
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008422:Materials Testing; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; C009495:titanium dioxide; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; C028541:zirconium oxide