Biochemical changes in sunflower plant exposed to silver nanoparticles / silver ions

Abstract

When soil is contaminated with silver (Ag), plants take up Ag and is concentrated in roots and leaves, with its effects reflected in crop health and yield. This study investigated the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and silver nitrate (AgNO 3 as Ag +) to sunflower seeds grown in soils amended with 150 mg/kg of Ag either as AgNPs or AgNO 3. Exposure of the sunflower seeds to soils amended with Ag increased plant lipid peroxidation, activities of antioxidants enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase), peroxidases (glutathione peroxidase pyrogallol peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase), oxidases (ascorbate oxidase), urease, total phenolic compounds, vitamins (retinols, alpha-tocopherol and L-ascorbic acid) but inhibited chlorophyll, total carotenoids, total soluble carbohydrates, phenolic compounds and total soluble proteins. In general, AgNO 3 increased the above-mentioned parameters in sunflower more than did AgNPs, except for the tested vitamins, which were more affected by AgNPs. The results showed that Ag accumulation in the root > leaf > stem and human food security risk is enhanced in sunflower seeds exposed to Ag compounds.

Advancing sustainable agriculture: a critical review of smart and eco-friendly nanomaterial applications

“…Whereas through combined methods i.e., seed priming and foliar application, improved plant yield, seed quality and secondary metabolite contents of the sunflower plants, indicating that each method of application can be recruited to improve unique characteristics of sunflower plants. On the other hand, 150 mg/L AgNPs through soil application increased the toxicity in sunflower plants by the accumulation of AgNPs in root > leaf > stem, which was reflected from the increase of antioxidants, lipid peroxidation, and reduced contents of chlorophyll, carotenoids, total carbohydrate, and total soluble proteins [ 36 ]. Similar phytotoxic effects were reported at the vegetative growth stage compared to that of germination in both cucumber and wheat plants that were exposed to 200 mg/L of AgNPs through in vitro application [ 37 ].…”