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Journal ArticleDOI

Are Copper Nanoparticles Toxic to All Plants? A Case Study on Onion (Allium cepa L.)

19 May 2021-Agronomy (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)-Vol. 11, Iss: 5, pp 1006
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect and efficiency of Cu supplementation to onion (Allium cepa L.) plants using Cu sulfate, chelate, or NPs, and compared their effects on bulb quality, yield, and contents of phytochemicals.
Abstract: Sandy soils with high alkalinity are characterized by low copper (Cu) contents that lead to many deficiency symptoms in plants. Cu deficiency in plants can be corrected using several cheap Cu sources. Nevertheless, the effects that novel sources, such as Cu nanoparticles (NPs), have on plants remain poorly studied. In the present work, we investigated the effect and efficiency of Cu supplementation to onion (Allium cepa L.) plants using Cu sulfate, chelate, or NPs, and compared their effects on bulb quality, yield, and contents of phytochemicals. Two successive seasons (2018/2019 and 2019/2020) of field experiments were conducted in newly reclaimed sandy soils, where plants were sprayed with either 10 ppm CuO NPs, 20 ppm CuSO4·5H2O, or 20 ppm of Cu chelates. Overall, Cu deficiency (control) resulted in a significant decrease in yield and all quality traits of onion plants. CuO NPs treatment significantly enhanced growth parameters, including plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight, yield, and bulb quality, compared with Cu sulfate and chelates. This was also the case regarding chemical constituents such as macro- and micro-nutrients, total soluble solids, phytochemical compounds, vitamins, and amino acids. Although Cu sulfate is the cheapest form used for Cu supplementation, results of the present study suggest that CuO NPs was not only safe to use, but also was the treatment that led to the highest onion yield and quality.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The physiological and molecular responses of pepper seedlings to the foliar application of copper nanoparticles compared to the bulk control underlines the potential cytotoxicity risk associated with the application of CuNPs as a fertilizer or pesticide in agriculture-related industries.
Abstract: The cytotoxicity assessment of nanomaterials has become a global concern for diverse disciplines, including agriculture. This study explored the physiological and molecular responses of pepper seedlings to the foliar application of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs; 50, 100, and 200 mg L−1) compared to the bulk control. The CuNPs treatment at 50 mg L−1 increased the shoot biomass by 20%, whereas the treatments at concentrations above 100 mg L−1 adversely influenced biomass (25%), chlorophyll content (21%), and starch concentration (23%). Moreover, the CuNPs treatments at the toxic doses increased H2O2 concentration (60%) and lipid peroxidation levels (27%), implying oxidative stress and potentially impaired membrane integrity. However, the phytotoxicity risk associated with the CuNPs application was lower than the bulk control. The CuNPs treatments upregulated the activities of catalase (2-folds), peroxidase (85%), and polyphenol oxidase (70%). The toxic doses of CuNPs increased the protease activity by 16%. The Cu supplementation influenced the transcription of microRNA159 (miR159) and Mevalonate kinase (MVK) genes in concentration and material type-dependent manners. Toxic concentrations of CuNP transcriptionally upregulated miR159 by approximately 2-folds. The expression of the MVK gene displayed a downregulation trend (5-folds) in response to the bulk Cu, while the CuNPs treatments slightly downregulated this gene. With increasing the concentration of CuNPs, the accumulations of protein and non-protein thiols displayed an increasing trend by approximately 45%. The CuNPs-treated plants contained a higher concentration of proline (59%) and phenols (34%). This study underlines the potential cytotoxicity risk associated with the application of CuNPs as a fertilizer or pesticide in agriculture-related industries.

11 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , the effects of heavy metals on plants have been studied but the influence of nanoparticles (NPs) derived from these heavy metals, and their comparative effect is less known, although they have found similar impacts for copper and manganese ionic and NP counterparts; in contrast, iron and zinc NPs seem less toxic for food crops.

9 citations

Book ChapterDOI
12 May 2020
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify the deficiency of a specific plant part at specific growth stage(s) by visual deficiency symptoms, which are characteristic enough to permit easy identification of the deficiency as these appear on particular plant parts.
Abstract: Mineral nutrients play a significant role in plant growth and development. However, a large number of elements are required for the growth of plants. Visual deficiency symptoms are generally characteristic enough to permit easy identification of the deficiency of a nutrient, as these appear on particular plant parts at specific growth stage(s). Micronutrients play many complex roles in plant nutrition. While most of the micronutrients participate in the functioning of a number of enzyme systems, there is considerable variation in the specific functions of the various micronutrients in plant and microbial growth processes. For example, copper, iron, and molybdenum are capable of acting as electron carriers in the enzyme systems that bring about oxidation reduction reactions in plants. Vegetable crops are generally sensitive to high zinc levels, while grasses usually tolerate high levels of available soil zinc. Nutrients can be absorbed through plant leaves.

1 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the association of copper and magnesium to polysaccharides was investigated in the tomato cultivation in pots conducted with fertigation under protected environment, and two experiments were conducted: (i) foliar application of poly-charides and their association with copper andnesium in the initial growth of tomato plants; and (ii) tomato yield with foliar spraying with poly-saccharide and its association with zinc and magnesium.

1 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI

2,442 citations


"Are Copper Nanoparticles Toxic to A..." refers background in this paper

  • ...), Egypt, according to Richards [16] and Jackson [17]....

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  • ...Before planting, physical and chemical analyses (Table 1) of the reclaimed soil were performed at the Soil, Water, and Environment Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre (A.R.C.), Egypt, according to Richards [16] and Jackson [17]....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of recent synthetic methods along with associated synthesis mechanisms, characterization, fundamental properties, and promising applications of Cupric oxide (CuO) nanostructures is presented in this article.

1,030 citations


"Are Copper Nanoparticles Toxic to A..." refers methods in this paper

  • ...Analysis of vitamins B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), and B9 (folate) were performed using the HPLC method (see [19,22,23] for detailed protocols)....

    [...]

BookDOI
28 Aug 2006
TL;DR: Introduction, Allen V. Barker and David J. Pilbeam Essential Elements-Macronutrients Nitrogen, and K Drihem Conclusion.
Abstract: Introduction, Allen V. Barker and David J. Pilbeam Essential Elements-Macronutrients Nitrogen, Allen V. Barker and Gretchen M. Bryson Phosphorus, Charles A. Sanchez Potassium, Konrad Mengel Calcium, David J. Pilbeam and Philip S. Morley Magnesium, Donald J. Merhaut Sulfur, Silvia Haneklaus, Elke Bloem, Ewald Schnug, Luit J. de Kok and Ineke Stulen Essential Elements-Micronutrients Boron, Umesh C. Gupta Chlorine, Joseph R. Heckman Copper, David E. Kopsel and Dean A. Kopsell Iron, Volker Roemheld and Miroslav Nikolic Manganese, Julia M. Humphries, James C.R. Stangoulis, and Robin D. Graham Molybdenum, Russell L. Hamlin Nickel, Patrick H. Brown Zinc, J. Benton Storey Beneficial Elements Aluminum, Susan C. Miyasaka, N.V. Hue, and Michael A. Dunn Cobalt, Geeta Talukder and Archana Sharmaz Selenium, Dean A. Kopsell and David E. Kopsell Silicon, George H. Snyder, Vladimir V. Matichenkov and Lawrence E. Datnoff Sodium, John Gorham Vanadium, David J Pilbeam and K Drihem Conclusion, Allen V. Barker and David J Pilbeam

700 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Precision farming is measuring and responding to inter and intra-field variability in crops to form a decision support system for crop commodities.

665 citations


"Are Copper Nanoparticles Toxic to A..." refers background in this paper

  • ...This makes Cu NPs a very safe option for supplementing Cu to onion plants without polluting the environment and soil ecosystem, making it an attractive resource for precision and sustainable agriculture [73,74]....

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Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: This chapter focuses on the functions of iron, manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, molybdenum, boron, and chlorine in plants and describes the effects of their deficiency and toxicity.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the functions of iron, manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, molybdenum, boron, and chlorine in plants and describes the effects of their deficiency and toxicity. Iron (Fe) plays a crucial role in redox systems in cells and in various enzymes. In dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plant species, Fe deficiency is associated with the formation of rhizodermal transfer cells, which is a part of a their strategy to enhance iron uptake. Manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) are important for redox systems, as activators of various enzymes including those involved in the detoxification of superoxide radicals, and for the synthesis of lignin. In dicotyledonous plants, intercostal chlorosis of the younger leaves is the most distinct symptom of Mn deficiency, whereas in cereals, greenish grey spots on the older leaves are the major symptoms. Stunted growth, distortion of young leaves, chlorosis/ necrosis starting at the apical meristem extending down to the leaf margins, bleaching of young leaves, and/or “summer dieback” in trees are typical visible symptoms of Cu deficiency. Zinc (Zn) plays a role in the detoxification of superoxide radicals, membrane integrity, as well as the synthesis of proteins and the phytohormone IAA. Nickel (Ni) is involved in N metabolism as a metal component of the enzyme urease, whereas molybdenum (Mo) helps in N metabolism by acting as a metal component of the nitrogenase (N2 fixation) and nitrate reductase enzymes. Boron (B) is crucial for cell wall and membrane integrity, whereas chlorine plays a role in osmoregulation and stomata movement.

581 citations


"Are Copper Nanoparticles Toxic to A..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Cu is an essential micronutrient that forms part of many important proteins and enzymes in plants and plays an important role in metabolism [6]....

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  • ...Cu also has a very narrow optimum range of concentration in which it exerts its beneficial effects [6,8]....

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  • ...Cu together with iron, zinc, boron, chlorine, manganese, and molybdenum are considered essential micronutrients that plants need to carry out many important physiological processes [6,26]....

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  • ...Cu deficiency affects both PS I and PS II activities in the chloroplast, which in turn reduce carbohydrate synthesis by almost 50% through affecting both chlorophyll content and leaf area [6]....

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  • ...Additionally, Cu is involved in many pivotal metabolic functions (photosynthesis and respiration), protein synthesis, cell lignification, auxin regulation, and protection against oxidative stress [6]....

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Trending Questions (1)
Negative effects of copper nanoparticles on plants?

The paper does not mention any negative effects of copper nanoparticles on plants.