We present a simple experiment that focuses on teaching the concept of nanophytotoxicity to undergraduate students. In comparison to the control system using solutions of Nanopure water, the growth of mung beans in solutions of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with a concentration of 20 mg/L was severely stunted, showing clear evidence of a high level of nanophytotoxicity. The growth of mung beans in solutions of SiO<sub>2</sub> NPs with the same concentration was intermediate to–though statistically separate from–the aforementioned solutions, showing clear evidence of a lower level of nanophytotoxicity than for the ZnO NPs. The simplicity of the experiment and the clear phytotoxic results should make this experiment of interest to many types of students including science majors, nonmajors, and high school students.

Simple experiment that teaches the concept of nanophytotoxicity: The effects of solutions of nanoparticles on the growth of mung beans

2019 Spring National Meeting

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