Effects of hematite and ferrihydrite nanoparticles on germination and growth of maize seedlings.

Engineered iron oxide nanoparticles (IO-NPs) have been used extensively for environmental remediation. It may cause the release IO-NPs to the environment affecting the functions of ecosystems. Plants are an important component of ecosystems and can be used for the evaluation of overall fate, transport and exposure pathways of IO-NPs in the environment. In this work, the effects of engineered ferrihydrite and hematite NPs on the germination and growth of maize are studied. The germination and growth of maize were done with treatments at different concentrations of hematite and ferrihydrite NPs, namely 1, 2, 4, and 6 g/L. Biological indicators of toxicity or stress in maize seedlings were not observed in treatments with engineered hematite and ferrihydrite NPs. In contrast, the NPs treatments increased the growth of maize and the chlorophyll content, except for hematite NPs at 6 g/L, where non-significant effects were found. The translocation of engineered ferrihydrite and hematite NPs in maize stems was demonstrated using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Effect of magnetite nanoparticles on the germination and early growth of Quercus macdougallii.

The present study measures the effect of citrate-coated magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) on the germination and early growth of Quercus macdougallii (oak). Two types of Fe3O4-NPs were synthetized and characterized, being denominated NP1 and NP2. The synthesis was performed by the co-precipitation method and partial reduction of iron(II), respectively. It was found that the NP1 has a quasi-spherical morphology, with sizes of 6-10nm, while the NP2 has sizes between 65 and 160nm. It was demonstrated that the Fe3O4-NPs exhibit peroxidase-like catalytic activity. Experiments of germination and growth of Quercus macdougallii were performed using the synthesized Fe3O4-NPs treatments and a deionized water control. The experiments were performed in intact and peeled acorns. The application of the NPs increased the germination up to 33% in relation to the control. Additionally, the Fe3O4-NPs treatments increased the growth, dry biomass, and chlorophyll concentration. The data obtained in this study suggest that Fe3O4-NPs treatments could be potentially used to improve conservation and reforestation of threatened forestry species.