“…There has been rising interest in the application of NPs to reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers for sustainable crop production and food security to meet the needs of nutritional requirements of the rapidly growing global population [2,3]. Zinc-based NPs are among the most widely used NPs in the nanoindustry [4], and are produced (550-5550 t a −1 ) 10 to 100 times more than the other NPs [5,6]. They are extensively utilized in the cosmetics industry [7], medicines [8], food, and solar cells [9], which inevitably leads to their transfer to the environment [10].…”
The aim of the present work was to investigate the toxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs, particle size < 50 nm) on the physiological and anatomical indices of spring barley (Hordeum sativum L.). The results show that ZnO NPs inhibited H. sativum growth by affecting the chlorophyll fluorescence emissions and causing deformations of the stomatal and trichome morphology, alterations to the cellular organizations, including irregularities of the chloroplasts, and disruptions to the grana and thylakoid organizations. There was a lower number of chloroplasts per cell observed in the H. sativum leaf cells treated with ZnO NPs as compared to the non-treated plants. Cytomorphometric quantification revealed that ZnO NPs decreased the size of the chloroplast by 1.5 and 4 times in 300 and 2000 mg/L ZnO NP-treated plants, respectively. The elemental analysis showed higher Zn accumulation in the treated leaf tissues (3.8 and 10.18-fold with 300 and 2000 mg/L ZnO NPs, respectively) than the untreated. High contents of Zn were observed in several spots in ZnO NP-treated leaf tissues using X-ray fluorescence. Deviations in the anatomical indices were significantly correlated with physiological observations. The accumulation of Zn content in plant tissues that originated from ZnO NPs was shown to cause damage to the structural organization of the photosynthetic apparatus and reduced the photosynthetic activities.
“…There has been rising interest in the application of NPs to reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers for sustainable crop production and food security to meet the needs of nutritional requirements of the rapidly growing global population [2,3]. Zinc-based NPs are among the most widely used NPs in the nanoindustry [4], and are produced (550-5550 t a −1 ) 10 to 100 times more than the other NPs [5,6]. They are extensively utilized in the cosmetics industry [7], medicines [8], food, and solar cells [9], which inevitably leads to their transfer to the environment [10].…”
The aim of the present work was to investigate the toxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs, particle size < 50 nm) on the physiological and anatomical indices of spring barley (Hordeum sativum L.). The results show that ZnO NPs inhibited H. sativum growth by affecting the chlorophyll fluorescence emissions and causing deformations of the stomatal and trichome morphology, alterations to the cellular organizations, including irregularities of the chloroplasts, and disruptions to the grana and thylakoid organizations. There was a lower number of chloroplasts per cell observed in the H. sativum leaf cells treated with ZnO NPs as compared to the non-treated plants. Cytomorphometric quantification revealed that ZnO NPs decreased the size of the chloroplast by 1.5 and 4 times in 300 and 2000 mg/L ZnO NP-treated plants, respectively. The elemental analysis showed higher Zn accumulation in the treated leaf tissues (3.8 and 10.18-fold with 300 and 2000 mg/L ZnO NPs, respectively) than the untreated. High contents of Zn were observed in several spots in ZnO NP-treated leaf tissues using X-ray fluorescence. Deviations in the anatomical indices were significantly correlated with physiological observations. The accumulation of Zn content in plant tissues that originated from ZnO NPs was shown to cause damage to the structural organization of the photosynthetic apparatus and reduced the photosynthetic activities.
“…Although nanotechnology provides numerous benefits, the researchers and experts are worried about the unsafe disposal of various nanoparticles (NPs) in massive amounts (several hundred tons) every year. The recent normative documents recommend that the presence of NPs could be detected in a number of controlled objects (atmospheric air, water objects, soils, hydrobionts, algae, fungi, tissues of land plants, tissues of land animals) [49].…”
Section: Impact Of Nanopesticides and Nanofertilizers On The Environmentmentioning
Excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture in order to increase yields has proved unnecessary because a large part of them remain unused and have negative effects on the environment and human health. Therefore, it is a great challenge for farmers to replace the application of pesticides and fertilizers with nanopesticides and nanofertilizers, with the aim of reducing the use of mineral fertilizers and increasing yields, as well as supporting agricultural development. This review provides a detailed overview of the classification of pesticides, commonly used nanoparticles in agriculture and their function, as well as impact of nanopesticides and nanofertilizers on the environment. The application of nanopesticides and nanofertilizers and new delivery mechanisms to improve crop productivity are reviewed and described. Particularly, the advantage of the nanoencapsulation process is emphasized for both pesticides and fertilizers. For hydrophobic pesticides, it may be a tool to provide greater stability, dispersion in aqueous media, and allowing a controlled release of the active compound, which increases its effectiveness. In nanofertilizers, micro-or macronutrients can be encapsulated by nanomaterials which allow to release of nutrients into the soil gradually and in a controlled way maintaining soil fertility, thus preventing eutrophication and pollution of water resources. Risks assessment of application of nanopesticides and nanofertilizers in agriculture are required for their correct and safe application.
“…Hence the application of nanoencapsulation and associated NPs for agri-food application should be tackled with great care and responsibility. The unauthorized and haphazard use of NPs can contaminate both soil and plant systems and ultimately intoxicate the agricultural ecosystem ( 51 ).…”
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