The increasing production and use of engineering nanoparticles (ENPs) have raised concerns about their effects in terrestrial plants, especially crop plants. Studies have shown that some ENPs have negative effects on plants; however, most of these studies focused on the interaction of ENPs with plants at root level. In this study, hydroponically grown cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants were aerially treated with powder of CeO2 NPs at 0.7 and 2.10 g/m3 or nanoparticles suspensions at 20, 40, 80, 160, 320 mg/l. Fifteen days after treatment application, plant samples were analyzed by using ICP-OES and TEM. In addition, the chlorophyll content and activity of some stress enzymes were measured. The ICP-OES results showed that cucumber plants are able to absorb the CeO2 NPs through the leaves from the powder and suspensions. The TEM results showed that the CeO2 NPs taken up by the leaves were translocated from the leaves to the roots. In addition, the biochemical assays showed that the NPs increased the activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase in cucumber leaves and roots. These findings have shown, for the first time that atmospheric NPs can be taken up and distributed within plant tissues, which could represent a threat for environmental and human health.

Translocation and physiological impacts of foliar application of CeO2 nanoparticles on cucumber plants (c<i>ucumis sativus</i>)

246th National Meeting (2013)

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Translocation and physiological impacts of foliar application of CeO2 nanoparticles on cucumber plants (cucumis sativus)