Effects of carbon-based nanomaterials on seed germination, biomass accumulation and salt stress response of bioenergy crops

Abstract

Bioenergy crops are an attractive option for use in energy production. A good plant candidate for bioenergy applications should produce a high amount of biomass and resist harsh environmental conditions. Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) have been described as promising seed germination and plant growth regulators. In this paper, we tested the impact of two CBNs: graphene and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on germination and biomass production of two major bioenergy crops (sorghum and switchgrass). The application of graphene and CNTs increased the germination rate of switchgrass seeds and led to an early germination of sorghum seeds. The exposure of switchgrass to graphene (200 mg/l) resulted in a 28% increase of total biomass produced compared to untreated plants. We tested the impact of CBNs on bioenergy crops under salt stress conditions and discovered that CBNs can significantly reduce symptoms of salt stress imposed by the addition of NaCl into the growth medium. Using an ion selective electrode, we demonstrated that the concentration of Na+ ions in NaCl solution can be significantly decreased by the addition of CNTs to the salt solution. Our data confirmed the potential of CBNs as plant growth regulators for non-food crops and demonstrated the role of CBNs in the protection of plants against salt stress by desalination of saline growth medium.

Influence of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles on Germination and Plant Metabolism of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.): Preliminary Evidence

“…The influence of ENMs-whether they are metallic or carbon-based materials-on plants was discussed in recent reviews [34][35][36][37]. Since most of these studies have been conducted in the laboratory or under controlled conditions, seed germination and seedling growth are among the most studied stages of plant development.…”

Carbon Nanotubes-Based Nanomaterials and Their Agricultural and Biotechnological Applications

“…For bioenergy applications, plants should produce a high amount of biomass and resist adverse environmental conditions. The effects of CNMs on seed germination, biomass accumulation, and salt stress response of bioenergy crops (sorghum and switchgrass) were studied by Pandey et al [75]. A significant enhancement in the germination rate was observed in CNTs-treated crops compared with the control, indicating the positive effect of nanomaterial towards crop growth.…”

“…Effects on growth of bioenergy crops by CNTs added to growth medium.Measurements were performed on 10-day-old seedlings (n = 30 for both sorghum and switch grass). (* p < 0.05 and ** p < 0.01)[75].…”

Improvement of Commercially Valuable Traits of Industrial Crops by Application of Carbon-based Nanomaterials

“…To date, the interactions of CBNs with plant systems have been studied in different plant organs including seeds, seedlings, plants, and plant cell cultures 6–17 . Positive effects of CBNs on seed germination and plant productivity have been documented for model plant species 8,11–13 , food crops (corn, barley, soybean) 14 as well as for bioenergy crops (sorghum, switchgrass) 15 . One of the most promising discoveries is the ability of a wide range of CBNs to induce early flower development and significantly stimulate the production of flowers and fruits of plants grown in hydroponics or soil supplemented with CBNs 16,17 .…”

“…It is already known that CBNs are affecting plants at the molecular level during exposure because it has been determined that the positive impact of CBNs on seed germination and plant growth is strongly correlated with the regulation of expression of major stress-responsive genes in CBN-exposed plants 8–13 . For example, the exposure of plants to CNTs led to the activation of the expression of aquaporins (water channel genes) in different crop species 8,11,12,14,15 . Many recent efforts were focused on detection of CBNs in plants.…”