Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
It is worth to note that all of these studies showing toxicity have used extremely
high concentration of graphene (0-2,000 mg L
1
). The biological effect must be
studied at a range of concentration of 0-10 mg L
1
.
After an exhaustive literature search, as far as we know, no NO donors associ-
ated with graphenes were published. This data showed that if it works in lower
concentration of the graphenes adduct with NO could be of great potential.
9.3.7.8 Fullerenes
No acute plant toxicity was observed upon the addition of 2-15 mg L
1
of fullerene
nanoparticles (eastern cottonwood (
Populus deltoides
)) in terms of phenotype,
water transpiration, and plant biomass in batch hydroponic studies (Ma and Wang
2010
). Water-soluble fullerene C
70
(C(COOH)
2
)
4-8
, on plant growth using the
transgenic seedling lines expressing fluorescent makers, showed that retarded
roots with shortened length and loss of root gravitropism for seedlings grown in
the fullerene-containing medium. At a fullerene concentration of 5 mg L
1
, a 20 %
exerted on root length an 9 % of hypocotyl elongation inhibition was found.
Fluorescence studies revealed the abnormalities of root tips in hormone distri-
bution, cell division, microtubule organization, and mitochondrial activity at higher
concentrations (Liu et al.
2010
). Apparently, fullerenes can be safely fused in plants
due to its low toxicity.
9.4 Conclusions
Important works describe the positive impact of exogenous administration of small
molecule NO donors in plants, as well as the advantages of nanomaterials in
agriculture. However, the combination of NO donors with nanomaterials for agri-
cultural purpose has not been explored. In this context, this chapter hopes to open
new perspectives for the application of NO-releasing nanomaterials in plant.
This new approach may significantly enhance agriculture, since NO-releasing
nanomaterials can impact plant physiology and pathology, especially seed germi-
nation, promotion of plant growth, and plant protection against pathogens and
exogenous stresses. Moreover, nanomaterials and NO donors might economically
improve agriculture, horticulture, as well as the energy sector, such as the produc-
tion of biofuels. Finally, since depending on its concentration, NO-releasing
nanomaterials might have toxic effects to humans and to the environment; hence,
phytotoxicological investigations are required.
