Bean seedling growth enhancement using magnetite nanoparticles

Nádia M. Duran, Maria Medina-Llamas, João G.B. Cassanji, Rafael G. De Lima, Eduardo De Almeida, William R. Macedo, Davide Mattia, Hudson W. Pereira De Carvalho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Citations (SciVal)
198 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Advanced fertilizers are one of the top requirements to address rising global food demand. This study investigates the effect of bare and polyethylene glycol-coated Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles on the germination and seedling development of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Although the germination rate was not affected by the treatments (1 to 1 000 mg Fe L -1), seed soaking in Fe 3O 4-PEG at 1 000 mg Fe L -1 increased radicle elongation (8.1 ± 1.1 cm vs 5.9 ± 1.0 cm for the control). Conversely, Fe 2+/Fe 3+ (aq) and bare Fe 3O 4 at 1 000 mg Fe L -1 prevented the growth. X-ray spectroscopy and tomography showed that Fe penetrated in the seed. Enzymatic assays showed that Fe 3O 4-PEG was the least harmful treatment to α-amylase. The growth promoted by the Fe 3O 4-PEG might be related to water uptake enhancement induced by the PEG coating. These results show the potential of using coated iron nanoparticles to enhance the growth of common food crops.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5746-5755
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Volume66
Issue number23
Early online date25 May 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Jun 2018

Keywords

  • Fe O nanoparticle
  • Phaseolus vulgaris L.
  • X-ray spectroscopy
  • germination
  • polyethylene glycol

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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