Effects of nanoparticle applications on seedling survival and morphological characteristics in Scots pine afforestation
Abstract
This study was conducted in the afforestation area, using bare-root 2+0-year-old Scots pine seedlings from Kastamonu. The study aimed to determine the impact of nanoparticle (NP) applications on seedling morphological characteristics and seedling survival success. Three different concentrations (low, medium, high) and four different nanoparticle types [Fe₃O₄, CuO, ZnO, TiO2] were applied to the plant root-dipping method in the study. The effects of NP treatments on seedling height (SH), root collar diameter (RCD), stem fresh weight (SFW), root new weight (RFW), seedling fresh weight (SEFW), root dry weight (RDW), stem dry weight (SDW), seedling dry weight (SEDW), sturdiness quotient (SI), root: shoot ratio (R/S), and seedling survival in the field were evaluated. The study results revealed that NP types significantly affected all seedling variables except RFW, SDW, RDW, and SEDW, and NP doses significantly affected all seedling variables except RFW. The binary interaction effects of NP types and doses had a significant effect on all seedling variables, and higher values were obtained compared to the control treatment. Medium and high NP doses were more effective in seedling growth than low doses; the percentage of seedling survival was 61.4% in the control treatment and 95% in the TiO2-Medium NP treatment combination.
This paper investigates the use of nanomaterials in soil enhancement, water management, and plant growth optimization for sustainable afforestation. Here, the development of nano-fertilizers with controlled nutrient release, the application of nanomaterials for soil remediation, and the implementation of smart irrigation systems equipped with nano sensors are discussed. Additionally, this paper examines how nanotechnology contributes to improving photosynthetic efficiency and enhancing stress tolerance in plants, showcasing its potential for maximizing the success of afforestation initiatives. The synthesis of current research provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and environmental stakeholders involved in advancing afforestation practices through nanotechnology.
Trees have been used for phytoremediation and as biomonitors of air pollution. However, the mechanisms in trees mitigating nanoparticle pollution in the environment are still unclear. We investigated whether two important tree species, European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), are able to take up and transport differently charged gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) into their stem by comparing leaf-to-root and root-to-leaf pathways. Au-NPs were taken up by roots and leaves, and a small fraction was transported to the stem in both species. Au-NPs were transported from leaves to roots but not viceversa. Leaf Au uptake was higher in beech than in pine, probably because of the higher stomatal density and wood characteristics of beech. Confocal (3D) analysis confirmed presence of Au-NPs in trichomes and leaf blade, about 20-30 μm below the leaf surface in beech. Most Au-NPs likely penetrated into the stomatal openings through diffusion of Au-NPs as suggested by the 3D XRF scanning analysis. However, trichomes were probably involved in the uptake and internal immobilization of NPs, besides their ability to retain them on the leaf surface. The surface charge of Au-NPs may have played a role in their adhesion and uptake, but not in their transport to different tree compartments. Stomatal conductance did not influence the uptake of Au-NPs. This is the first study that shows nanoparticle uptake and transport in beech and pine, contributing to a better understanding of the interactions of NPs with different tree species.
In the present age of technological advancement, nanotechnology and its associated applications have been able to gain attention because of their ability to create a revolution in the field of modern science. There is no denying of the fact that nanomaterials synthesized by different methods, especially bio-synthesized ones, have provided numerous benefits to mankind in different fields like agriculture, medicine, industry, manufacturing etc. as they possess distinctive properties. Their size, surface characteristics and chemical composition are the major factors which contribute to their wide range of applications, while these are the same properties that are responsible for their toxic and hazardous effects. The present review tries to bridge an existing gap in literature – huge no. of research material is available of the technological advancements and applications of nanomaterials, paving the path for future research in this area, yet very limited information is available on their possible toxicity of living forms (plants, animals, humans alike) as well as the environment. This review acknowledges the tremendous advantages and positive effects of metal-based ¹nanoparticles (NPs) on plants, but highlights on the phytotoxic effects of some of the most widely used NPs globally viz. ZnO NPs, TiO2 NPs, and AgNPs. Lastly, emphasis has been laid on the adverse effects of nanomaterials on different environmental conditions (soil and aquatic environment) and ecological topography.
Nanoteknolojik gelişmelere paralel olarak günümüzde nanopartiküllerin ortamlardaki konsantrasyonları gittikçe artmaktadır. Çevre üzerindeki etkileri yeterince bilinmeyen bu materyallerin tanınması ve etkilerinin tespiti önem arz etmektedir. Bu çalışma, Kızılçamın (Pinus brutia Ten.) ana yayılış sahası dışında bulunan doğal kızılçam meşceresinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Yarı kurak iklimin hâkim olduğu Ankara-Beypazarı yöresinde; Silika, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, ZnO, TiO2, Au, CuO ve Ag nanopartiküllerinin (NPs) beş farklı doz seviyesinde (çok yüksek, yüksek, orta, düşük, çok düşük) açık alan koşullarında çimlendirilen tohumlarının fidan gelişimi ve fidan yüzdesi parametrelerine etkisi araştırılmıştır. Üç tekrarlı kurulan denemede elde edilen fidan boyu (FB), kök boğazı çapı (KBÇ) ve fidan yüzdesine (FY) ait verilere varyans analizi ve Duncan testi uygulanmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda; NP çeşit ve doz faktörleri ile her iki faktörün etkileşimi FB, KBÇ ve FY üzerinde %95 güven düzeyinde anlamlı farklılık oluşturmuştur. NP çeşit ve dozları 1+0 yaşlı kızılçam FB ve KBÇ gelişimi ile FY üzerinde olumsuz etki yapmıştır. Buna karşılık, kontrol fidanlarının boy ve çap gelişimi ile FY değerlerinin daha yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Kontrol işlemi fidanlarının ortalama FB değeri, Fe2O3 NP uygulaması boy değerlerine göre %35 yüksek, KBÇ değeri ise Cu NP uygulamasına göre %70 civarında daha yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
The wide distribution of iron in the environment of various forms of iron makes it relevant to study the characteristics of their influence on plant growth. In the present paper, the growth features of Pinus sylvestris – Scots pine were studied - during the cultivation of stratified seeds in a medium containing different forms of iron. It was established that the cultivation of pine seeds in a medium containing 0.1 M of iron in any form, inhibits the development of the root system. When cultivated in the environment containing iron nanoparticles at a concentration of 6.25 mmol / l, this led to a decrease in the root length to 3.71 ± 0.06 mm. On the contrary, the presence of iron nanoparticles in the medium for the cultivation of pine caused an increase in the length of the main and adventitious roots, as well as the number of adventitious roots. The content of iron microparticles in the medium for the cultivation of pine caused only a decrease in the length of the main root and adventitious roots. At the same time, at concentrations from 0.39 to 25 mmol / l, an increase in the number of adventitious roots occurred, which indicates compensatory reactions.
The transfer of microclones to nonsterile conditions is one of the critical stages of micropropagation. Nanoparticles and nanomaterials can significantly improve effectiveness of this technique if used as substances increasing adaptive capabilities of the propagated plants. We have studied the impact of silver nanoparticles and zirconium trisulphide nanoplates on the adaptation of microclones of white poplar × aspen hybrid, hairy birch, crack willow, red oak and scots pine upon transfer to ex vitro conditions. The performed study has revealed that foliage application of colloidal aqueous solutions of zirconium trisulphide and silver nanoparticles at 3 μg/l concentration to in vitro microclones was more effective than the reference growth regulator. The best results were observed in the experiments with red oak microclones, where the number of surviving and adapted plants increased by 50-60 %. Increase in biomorphological parameters was accompanied by improvement of photosynthetic activity. The results indicate high potential of zirconium trisulphide nanoplates and silver nanoparticles for protecting woody species microclones during their transfer to non-sterile conditions of glasshouse.
Recent research points to the possibility of nanoparticles being used as fertilis-ers, 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. Fo-liar 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 lens-shaped 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 myc-orrhizal colonisation in particular, among container-grown Scots pines. However , further work is needed to determine their optimal doses and concentrations .
Metal nanoparticles (NPs) are finding ever-wider applications in plant production (agricultural and forestry-related) as fertilisers, pesticides and growth stimulators. This makes it essential to examine their impact on a variety of plants, including trees. In the study detailed here, we investigated the effects of nanoparticles of silver and copper (i.e., AgNPs and CuNPs) on growth, and chlorophyll fluorescence, in the seedlings of Scots pine and pedunculate oak. We also compared the ultrastructure of needles, leaves, shoots and roots of treated and untreated plants, under transmission electron microscopy. Seedlings were grown in containers in a peat substrate, prior to the foliar application of NPs four times in the course of the growing season, at the four concentrations of 0, 5, 25 and 50 ppm. We were able to detect species-specific activity of the two types of NP. Among seedling pines, the impact of both types of NP at the concentrations supplied limited growth slightly. In contrast, no such effect was observed for the oaks grown in the trial. Equally, it was not possible to find ultrastructural changes in stems and roots associated with the applications of NPs. Cell organelles apparently sensitive to the action of both NPs (albeit only at the highest applied concentration of 50 ppm) were chloroplasts. The CuNP-treated oaks contained large plastoglobules, whereas those dosed with AgNP contained large starch granules. The NP-treated pines likewise exhibited large numbers of plastoglobules, while the chloroplasts of NP-treated plants in general presented shapes that changed from lenticular to round. In addition, large osmophilic globules were present in the cytoplasm. Reference to maximum quantum yields from photosystem II (Fv/Fm)—on the basis of chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements—revealed a slight debilitation of oak seedlings following the application of both kinds of NP at higher concentrations. In contrast, in pines, this variable revealed no influence of AgNPs, as well as a favourable effect due to the CuNPs applied at a concentration of 5 ppm. Our research also showed that any toxic impact on pine or oak seedlings due to the NPs was limited and only present with higher concentrations.
Metal nanoparticles have unique properties that increase the growth and development of seeds of both crops and trees, thereby increasing plant productivity. The treatment of seeds with metal nanoparticles may ensure getting a high quality planting material from seeds with its further preservation. The possibility of using suspensions of nanoparticles of iron and copper in the range of concentrations from 210⁻⁴ to 210⁻² % when preparing the planting material in nurseries and in the conditions of the forest zone on various soils is shown. It has been revealed that germination of seeds in iron and copper nanoparticles (30-60 nm) suspensions with metal concentration of 210⁻³% results to the increase of the plant's resistance to infectious lodging (by 1.9 times), the survival rate (by 40-60%), and it's annual height (by 15%) compared to control. Although the use of nanoparticles in germination promotes the peroxidase activity, it inhibits catalase activity by showing the plant resistance to stress, while increasing growth processes. Seed germination increases to 10 % above the control, whereas the root growth increases by 25-30 %.
