Silver nanoparticles with different concentrations and particle sizes affect the functional traits of wheat

Abstract

The response of functional traits of plants to external environment can influence their competitive ability because these functional traits are required for the acquisition of resources. The overuse of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has gained attention due to their environmental toxicity. This study aimed to examine the effects of AgNPs with different concentrations and particle sizes on functional traits of wheat. It was observed that AgNPs significantly reduced the plant height and so decrease its competitive ability. Ag ions decreased leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen content and specific leaf area more than AgNPs, but the opposite was true for leaf length, single leaf fresh mass, and shoot fresh mass. Hence, the toxicity of AgNPs may be higher than that of Ag ions in some cases. In this study, leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen content decreased with increasing concentration of AgNPs (with size 30 nm). The AgNPs with smaller particle size exerted higher toxicity on leaf chlorophyll and N content than those with larger particle size at the same concentration. However, AgNPs with larger particle size reduced more aboveground fresh mass than those with smaller particle size at the same concentration.

Phytotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles with Different Surface Properties on Monocots and Dicots Model Plants

“…On the other hand, one can also indicate that observed effects can be related to the differences in structure between plants monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous. Our results confirmed previous reports on the harmful effects of AgNPs and other silver compounds on the above-ground parts of higher plants (Dimkpa et al 2013;Vannini et al 2014;Wang et al 2020;Yang et al 2018;Zuverza-Mena et al 2016). Jhanzab et al (2015) noted that AgNPs synthesized chemically by the reduction of AgNO 3 with trisodium citrate dehydrate in high concentrations limited the leaf surface of wheat, while lower concentrations had a positive effect on this parameter.…”

“…It is hypothesized that it is closely related to the released silver ions from the AgNPs surface which enhances their toxicity (Pradas Del Real et al 2017;Vinković et al 2017). There are also opinions that AgNPs themselves also have toxic properties (Geisler-Lee et al 2013;Wang et al 2020;Yin et al 2011).…”

Metabolomics as a Tool to Understand Nano-Plant Interactions: The Case Study of Metal-Based Nanoparticles

“…However, nAg applications go beyond that, and they are also used in electronics, sensors, and solar cells [ 121 ]. In the agricultural sector, nAg have been explored as plant-stimulants [ 122 ], stress mitigators [ 123 ], and fungicides [ 124 ], despite the diverse studies also demonstrating their potential phytotoxicity [ 25 , 125 , 126 ]. The effects of nAg on plant metabolome are summarized in Table 3 .…”

Silver nanoparticles intensify the allelopathic intensity of four invasive plant species in the Asteraceae

“…As one of the most widely used nanomaterials, a substantial amount of silver nanoparticles has been released into the environment and totals 500 tons a year across the globe. These nanomaterials are primarily derived from their production and use in a number of industries, including catalysts, optics, electronics, cosmetics, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and food (McGillicuddy et al 2017, Wang et al 2020d). However, the silver nanoparticles that are released end up in the soil subsystem and then cause ecotoxicological effects over a long period, particularly via the food cycle (McGillicuddy et al 2017, Wang et al 2020d.…”

“…These nanomaterials are primarily derived from their production and use in a number of industries, including catalysts, optics, electronics, cosmetics, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and food (McGillicuddy et al 2017, Wang et al 2020d). However, the silver nanoparticles that are released end up in the soil subsystem and then cause ecotoxicological effects over a long period, particularly via the food cycle (McGillicuddy et al 2017, Wang et al 2020d. Predictably, silver nanoparticles will be released into the environment in the future with the increasing frequency and intensity of anthropogenic activities, particularly as the industry develops further.…”