PJB-2019-923
PHYTOTOXIC RESPONSE OF MAIZE SEEDLINGS TO ZNO NANOPARTICLES
Kabir Ghoto
Abstract
Abstract Vast production and release of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) into environment can affect living and nonliving components of ecosystems. In the present study, the effects of ZnO NPs on the growth of maize seedlings cultivated hydroponically for 7 days were investigated. Results showed that ZnO NPs treatment significantly reduced (p<0.05) the growth of seedlings compared to the CK. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between chlorophyll content, while the carotenoid was decreased (p<0.05) by 34%, and chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio was increased (p<0.05) by 63% under ZnO NPs treatment compared to the CK. MDA content in roots and leaves were no significant (p>0.05). Content of H2O2 diminished (p<0.05) by 68.6% in roots and nonsignificant change (p>0.05) in leaves. Besides, O2˙ˉ production increased by 50.5% (p<0.05) and 48.6% (p<0.05) in roots and leaves, respectively under ZnO NPs treatment. The pH of root exudates was declined by 6.1 % (p<0.05) which means the rhizosphere was acidified under ZnO NPs treatment. Root exudates under ZnO NPs observed as organic acids contents significantly diminished (p<0.05) by 58.8%, 91.3%, 93.5% for formic, oxalic and malic acid, respectively compared to the CK. In addition, fumaric acid increased by 296.2%, while tartaric acid reached 31.5±1.3 mg/L in average. Citric and lactic acids have nonsignificant changes (P>0.05) under ZnO NPs treatment compared to the CK. Taken together, ZnO NPs treatment decreased maize seedling growth, content of carotenoid except the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoid, increased O2˙ˉproduction in both roots and leaves, increased fumaric and tartaric acids contents in the roots exudates.
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