The effect of silver and copper nanoparticles on the growth and mycorrhizal colonisation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in a container nursery experiment

Abstract

Recent research points to the possibility of nanoparticles being used as fertilisers, growth stimulators, and promoters of plant resistance or pesticides. In this study, we sought to determine the influence of nanoparticles of silver and copper (AgNPs and CuNPs) on growth parameters and spontaneous mycorrhizal colonisation of roots in 2-year-old container-grown seedlings of Scots pine. Foliar applications of nanoparticles were made through two growing seasons, four times a season, at concentrations of 0, 5, 25 and 50 ppm. Comparisons of the ultrastructures characterising the needles, stems and roots of the treated or untreated pines were conducted with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The deployed CuNPs stimulated mycorrhizal colonisation at all concentrations, although the growth of seedlings was only promoted at a concentration of 25 ppm. Higher concentrations of AgNPs (25 and 50 ppm) inhibited the formation of mycorrhizae, though the lowest concentration (5 ppm) produced an increase in both mycorrhizal colonisation and the dry mass of roots. The species of ectomycorrhizal fungi found were Thelephora terrestris, Suillus bovinus and Sphaerosporella brunnea. The TEM results comparing treated and control (untreated) needles revealed changes in the chloroplasts from lensshaped to spherical. Furthermore, an increase in the number of plastoglobules and the presence of large osmophilic globules in the cytoplasm associated solely with the needles of pines receiving 50 ppm nanoparticles were observed. In contrast, ultrastructural changes in stems and roots associated with the applications of NPs were not found. Overall, the results indicated that CuNPs and AgNPs could be used as stimulators of growth in general, and mycorrhizal colonisation in particular, among container-grown Scots pines. However, further work is needed to determine their optimal doses and concentrations.Citation: Aleksandrowicz-Trzcinska M, Szaniawski A, Studnicki M, Bederska-Blaszczyk M, Olchowik J, Urban A (2018). The effect of silver and copper nanoparticles on the growth and mycorrhizal colonisation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in a container nursery experiment. iForest

The Effects of Copper and Silver Nanoparticles on Container-Grown Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) Seedlings

“…Previously, the influence of NPs has mainly been researched by reference to crop plants, with only a few studies devoted to woody species. The results of the latter have furthermore been very varied-encompassing stimulation of growth [30] and the lack of any influence [40][41][42], through to inhibition [43]. In contrast, our work points to a differentiated influence of NPs, depending on both plant species and type of nanomaterial.…”

Effects of nanoparticle applications on seedling survival and morphological characteristics in Scots pine afforestation

“…Nanoparticles were applied to leaves four times over the course of two growth seasons, at concentrations of 0, 5, 25, and 50 ppm. At all doses, the applied Cu-NPs promoted mycorrhizal colonization (Aleksandrowicz-Trzcinska et al 2018). Fe-NPs and Cu-NPs solutions were applied to Scots pine seeds in a laboratory setting to increase their seeding properties and significantly lower the likelihood of mold damage to the seedlings (Polischuk et al 2018).…”

Ecological Drawbacks of Nanomaterials Produced on an Industrial Scale: Collateral Effect on Human and Environmental Health

“…In general terms, the foliar applications did not reduce the ectomycorrhizal infection. In concentrations of 25 ppm, both ENPs showed a higher degree of mycorrhization, being a value of 37.1% for Cu- and 37.5% in Ag-ENPs (Aleksandrowicz-Trzcinska et al, 2018 ). Another study reported that carbon and nitrogen concentrations were not affected concerning microbial biomass; moreover, the C/N ectomycorrhizae ratio was directly affected by the increase in levels of Fe3O 4 - and SnO 2 -ENPs (Antisari et al, 2013 ).…”