Different forms of copper and kinetin impacted element accumulation and macromolecule contents in kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds

The relationship between engineered nanomaterials and plant biostimulants is unclear. In this study, kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plantswere grown to maturity (90 days) in soil amendedwith nano copper (nCu), bulk copper (bCu), or copper chloride (CuCl2) at 0, 50, or 100mg kg−1, thenwatered with 0, 10, or 100 μMof kinetin (KN). Seeds were harvested and analyzed via ICP-OES and biochemical assays. While seed production was largely unaffected, nutritional valuewas significantly impacted. Accumulation of Cuwas enhanced by 5–10% fromcontrols by Cu-based treatments. Fe was the only macro/microelement significantly altered by nCu, which was ~29% lower than seeds fromuntreated plants. All forms of Cu combinedwith 10 μMKN reducedMg from9 to 12%. Application of KN plus bCu or CuCl2 elevated concentrations of Mn (31–41%) and S (19–22%), respectively. Protein content of seeds was stimulated (11–12%) by bCu, on average, and depressed by CuCl2 + KN (up to 22%). Variations in sugar and starch contentwere insignificant, compared to controls. Our results indicate that the interaction Cu × KN significantly altered the nutritional value of common beans, which has potential implications to agricultural practices incorporating Cu as either a pesticide or fertilizer

Copper oxide nanoparticles and bulk copper oxide, combined with indole-3-acetic acid, alter aluminum, boron, and iron in Pisum sativum seeds

The interaction of CuO nanoparticles (nCuO), a potential nanopesticide, with the growth hormone indole-3- acetic acid (IAA) is not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional components in seeds of green pea (Pisum sativum) cultivated in soil amended with nCuO at 50 or 100 mg kg−1, with/without IAA at 10 or 100 μM. Similar treatments including bulk CuO (bCuO) and CuCl2 were set as controls. Bulk CuO at 50 mg kg−1 reduced seed yield (52%), compared with control. Bulk CuO at 50 mg kg−1 and nCuO at 100 mg kg−1, plus IAA at 100 μM, increased iron in seeds (41 and 42%, respectively), while nCuO at 50 mg kg−1, plus IAA at 100 μM reduced boron (80%, respect to control and 63%, respect to IAA at 100 μM). IAA, at 10 μM increased seed protein (33%), compared with control (p ≤ 0.05). At both concentrations IAA increased sugar in seeds (20%). Overall, nCuO, plus IAA at 10 μM, does not affect the production or nutritional quality of green pea seeds