Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Improved Development during In Vitro Multiplication of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) in a Semi-Automated Bioreactor

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes play an important role in plant biotechnology due to their effects on the growth and differentiation of cells, tissues, organs, and whole plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) during in vitro multiplication of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) using a temporary immersion system. Morphological characterization of MWCNTs was carried out under a transmission electron microscope. Different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200 mg L−1) of MWCNTs were added to Murashige and Skoog liquid culture medium in the multiplication stage. At 30 d of culture, number of shoots per explant, shoot length, number of leaves per shoot, total chlorophyll, dry matter percentage, carbon percentage, and macro- and micronutrient content were evaluated. Results showed an increase in the development of sugarcane shoots at concentrations of 100 and 200 mg L−1 MWCNT. Total chlorophyll content increased at concentrations of 50 and 100 mg L−1 MWCNT, whereas macro- and micronutrient content was variable at the different MWCNT concentrations. Results suggest a hormetic effect, characterized by stimulation at low concentrations. In conclusion, the use of low concentrations of MWCNTs had positive effects on development, total chlorophyll, carbon percentage, and macro- and micronutrient (N, Ca, S, Fe, Cu, Zn and Na) contents during in vitro multiplication of sugarcane and may have a potential use in other species of agricultural interest.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes wrapped with polyvinylpyrrolidone can control the leaf yellowing of Alstroemeria cut flowers

“…One mechanism for the beneficial effects of MWCNTs has been their ability to promote the expression of genes involved in photosynthesis, thereby enhancing photosynthetic efficiency 56 . In addition, the increase in total chlorophyll content observed at low doses of MWCNTs/PVP (Table 4 ) may result from the increased photosynthetic activity 57 , 58 . Velikova et al 59 observed that SWCNTs could alter pea plants' leaf micromorphology and chloroplast ultrastructure, thereby affecting their photosynthetic activity.…”

Exogenous Application of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Nano-Selenium (Nano-Se) Alleviated the PEG-Induced Water Deficit Stress and Improved the Crop Performance of Camelina

“…It is worth mentioning that both nanoparticles showed a hormetic effect, characterized by stimulation at low doses and inhibition at high doses [5,40]. This study determined that the effective doses for the alleviation of PEG-induced WDS on camelina were 50-100 mg L −1 for MWCNTs and 5-10 mg L −1 for nano-Se, respectively.…”

“…MWCNTs act as effective plant-growth regulators that affect plant morpho-physiological and biochemistry [5]. They can penetrate the cell wall, enter the cytoplasm, and promote cell elongation in the root system, resulting in faster root growth and higher biomass production [49].…”

“…These application doses fell within the ranges of 50-200 mg L −1 in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) [5] and tomato [12], 40−160 mg L −1 in wheat [49], and 90 mg L −1 in grape [13] for MWC-NTs, and 2.5-10.0 mg L −1 in melon (Cucumis melo L.) [14] and 5.0 mg L −1 in celery (Apium graveolens L.) [51] for nano-Se. However, when the concentration of MWCNTs is higher than 250 mg L −1 , it shows toxicity to tomato plants [52].…”

“…It can negatively affect the growth, physiological (i.e., photosynthetic performance), and biochemical activities (i.e., antioxidant enzymes activities) of a plant [3,4]. Nanotechnology and its application in agriculture to manage various agricultural stresses have shown the potential for increasing crop yield [5,6]. Results showed that the specific types of nanoparticles in low application doses Agronomy 2023, 13, 979 2 of 14 enabled the plants to counteract the stress by activating the physiological and biochemical processes [7,8].…”