Elucidating the phytotoxicity thresholds of various biosynthesized nanoparticles on physical and biochemical attributes of cotton

Abstract

Background A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the phytotoxic thresholds of zinc oxide (ZnO NPs), iron oxide (FeO NPs), copper (Cu NPs), and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on cotton. All the nanoparticles were biosynthesized from Conocarpus erectus L. leaf extract. They were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Five concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm) of all the biosynthesized nanoparticles were foliar applied thrice over the duration of cotton growth. Five cotton seeds were sown in 5 kg soil pot and harvested after 6 weeks. SPAD values were evaluated before harvesting while physical growth parameters, physiological parameters biochemical, and oxidative stress parameters were measured after harvesting. Results The value of all parameters, except oxidative stress, increased by 13–47% in response to ZnO NPs application up to 100 ppm. However, phytotoxic threshold of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) and copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) was only 50 ppm as plant growth was increased by 7.9–24.3%. Above 50 ppm plant growth and biomass were decreased by 6.7–16.2%. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) showed maximum growth (3.7 to 9.12% increased) at 25 ppm concentration. At higher concentrations than 25 ppm, the application of Ag NPs decreased the growth due to toxicity. Foliar application of different biosynthesized nanoparticles showed the different range of threshold value for cotton crop. Threshold value of iron oxide and copper nanoparticles for cotton was 50 ppm, whereas, it was 25 ppm for silver nanoparticles. Since the ZnO NPs application continued increasing the growth till its maximum concentration used i.e., 100 ppm, we cannot say that this is its threshold value. Conclusion On the basis of obtained results, it can be concluded that nanoparticles should be used within threshold to avoid adverse effects on crops. Application of nanoparticles within threshold optimum concentration, increased plant biomass and antioxidant system. Graphical Abstract

Evaluating the impact of biogenic nanoparticles and pesticide application in controlling Cotton Leaf Curl Virus Disease (CLCuD) in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

“…The crop was sown in May 2022, with an average temperature ranging from 27.6-34.8°C and an average humidity of 28.9%. The nanoparticles used in this experiment for potential against cotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuD), were previously characterized, optimized and reported in [14]. In previous pot experiment nanoparticles doses were optimized as zinc oxide nanoparticles (100ppm), iron oxide nanoparticles (50ppm), copper nanoparticle (50ppm) and silver nanoparticle as (25ppm).…”

Green nanotechnology for plant bacterial diseases management in cereal crops: a review on metal-based nanoparticles

“…Nanoparticles synthesized by physical and chemical methods have a narrow threshold range in plants (Haidri et al, 2023). Toxicity is a major concern about physical and chemically synthesized nanoparticles (Shafqat et al, 2023a). Biosynthesis of nanoparticles is explored by natural reducing agents, which are bacteria, fungi or plants (Pantidos, 2014; Tables 1,2,3).…”

Efficacy of Biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Treating Wastewater for Sustainable Wheat Cultivation

“…At three different wavelengths of 645, 480, and 663 nm, the absorbance of the supernatant was recorded, respectively, for chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids using a spectrophotometer (STA-8200 V STALWART Van Nuys USA). The chlorophyll content was calculated using the given formula [29].…”