Assessing the Tolerance of Solanum tuberosum Tubers to Silicon Nanoparticles -

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Assessing the Tolerance of Solanum tuberosum Tubers to Silicon Nanoparticles

Introduction: In the context of rapid nanotechnological advancements, understanding the impact of nanoproducts on soil ecosystems, particularly on key components like plants, is crucial. Potatoes, a globally significant crop, directly interact with soil during tuber development, emphasizing the need for comprehensive research in this area.

Nanomaterials in Agriculture: Nanomaterials, such as silicon dioxide nanoparticles (NP SiO2), play a vital role in agriculture. They have been shown to enhance plant germination, improve resistance to various stresses, optimize nutrient metabolism, and promote plant growth. NP SiO2, a widely used nanomaterial, is known for its low toxicity to plants and potential applications in delivering biologically active substances.

Research Significance: Potatoes, being a major crop and essential for food security, merit special attention in nanomaterial research. NP SiO2, with its potential benefits, has been explored in mitigating toxicity, reducing salinization effects, and enhancing the growth of potato plants. Previous studies have also indicated positive outcomes, such as improved antioxidant defense systems and increased yields in crops like tomatoes.

Research Gap and Objective: Despite the existing body of work on the sensitivity of various crops to NP SiO2, potatoes, rich in nutrients, remain underexplored in this context. Current studies often focus on root and foliar treatments under stressful conditions. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the biological effects of NP SiO2 specifically on Solanum tuberosum tubers.

Study Focus and Importance: The study holds significance in addressing the knowledge gap regarding the impact of NPSiO2 on potato tubers. Understanding how nanomaterials influence tuber development can contribute valuable insights for sustainable agriculture practices. As potatoes are a staple food source, assessing the biological effects of NP SiO2 on Solanum tuberosum will provide practical implications for crop management and food production.

Materials and Methods Overview:

Chemical Substances and Substrates: Silicon oxide nanoparticles (NP SiO2) were employed in the study, obtained through plasmochemical synthesis by LLC Advanced Powder Technologies (Russia, Tomsk). The soil at the experimental site was southern chernozem with specific characteristics.

Test Organisms: Potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum) of the variety “Icil” were utilized in the study. The seed material, propagated on a virus-free basis (in vitro), was provided by FSBSI South Ural NIISiK (Chelyabinsk, Russia).

Design of the Experiment: The biological activity of NP SiO2 on potato tubers was tested with five concentrations in geometric progression (0.03, 0.09, 0.18, 0.21, and 0.36 g/kg potatoes). Tubers were disinfected, weighed, and placed in containers. Suspensions of NP SiO2 were prepared, and tubers were treated with these concentrations. The experiment lasted 28 days and involved assessments at various time points.

Analysis and Assessments: Germination energy, morphometric parameters, and phytotoxicity of nanometal were determined on specific days. Additionally, photosynthetic pigment content, crude protein in potato tubers, silicon content in plant parts, and electrophoretic mobility of DNA after exposure to nano-SiO2 were analysed using various methods, instruments, and standard protocols.

Field Experience: A parallel field experiment was conducted with tubers processed with the same concentrations, planted in open ground, and assessed on specific days.

Data Analysis: The collected data underwent various analyses, including spectrophotometric measurements, mass spectrometry, and electrophoretic separations. Statistical and graphical tools were employed for result interpretation. The methods ensured a comprehensive evaluation of the biological effects of SiO2 nanoparticles on Solanum tuberosum.

Result and Conclusion: In recent years, there has been a growing focus on investigating the influence of nanometals, particularly silicon nanoparticles (NP), on soil ecosystems and their potential benefits, especially in alleviating plant stress. This study aims to evaluate the biological impact of SiO2 nanoparticles on Solanum tuberosum (potato plants). The assessment of NP SiO2’s biological activity on potato tubers involved exposure to five exponentially increasing concentrations (0.03, 0.09, 0.18, 0.21, and 0.36 g/kg of potatoes) along with a control group without NP SiO2 treatment. Results from the 21-day experiment revealed noteworthy effects on potato tubers. Specifically, concentrations of 0.18 and 0.21 g/kg of NP SiO2 led to a 6.6% and 2.2% increase in average tuber mass, respectively. Root length was stimulated by 27.8–21.0%, and sprout length exhibited a remarkable increase of 55.3%. At the concentration of 0.36 g/kg, maximum silicon accumulation in different plant parts was observed on the 14th and 45th days. Furthermore, the analysis of chlorophyll content in Solanum tuberosum sprouts indicated that concentrations of nanoform SiO2 ranging from 0.03 to 0.21 g/kg resulted in 48.8% higher chlorophyll levels compared to the control, and carotenoid content increased by 29.7%. Field studies reinforced these findings, demonstrating that the maximum mass of potato stems and tubers occurred at concentrations of 0.09 g/kg and 0.18 g/kg NP SiO2, providing evidence for the absence of toxic properties associated with NP SiO2. Importantly, the lack of toxic effects within the investigated concentration range (0.03 to 0.36 g/kg) was further supported by assessing the electrophoretic mobility of plant DNA molecules after in vitro incubation with silicon nanoparticles. Overall, this research sheds light on the potential positive impact of SiO2 nanoparticles on Solanum tuberosum, highlighting their non-toxic nature and their ability to enhance plant growth and stress resilience.

Reference:

MUSHINSKIY, A.A., AMINOVА, E.V. AND KOROTKOVA, A.M., 2018. Evaluation of tolerance of tubers Solanum tuberosum to silicа nanoparticles. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(34), pp.34559-34569.