Phytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles on Vicia faba: evaluation of particle size effects on photosynthetic performance and leaf gas exchange

Nanotechnology is an emerging field in science and engineering, which presents significant impacts on the economy, society and the environment. The nanomaterials’ (NMs) production, use, and disposal is inevitably leading to their release into the environment where there are uncertainties about its fate, behaviour, and toxicity. Recent works have demonstrated that NMs can penetrate, translocate, and accumulate in plants. However, studies about the effects of the NMs on plants are still limited because most investigations are carried out in the initial stage of plant development. The present study aimed to evaluate and characterize the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) of broad bean (Vicia faba) leaves when subjected to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with diameters of 20, 51, and 73 nm as well as to micrometer-size Ag particles (AgBulk). The AgNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The analyses were performed by injecting the leaves with 100 mg L-1 aqueous solution of Ag and measuring the chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, gas exchange, thermal imaging, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In addition, silver ion (Ag+) release from Ag particles was determined by dialysis. The results revealed that AgNPs induce a decrease in the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) and an increase in the non-photochemical quenching. The data also revealed that AgNPs affected the stomatal conductance (gs) and CO2 assimilation. Further, AgNPs induced an overproduction of ROS in Vicia faba leaves. Finally, all observed effects were particle diameter-dependent, increasing with the reduction of AgNPs diameter and revealing that AgBulk caused only a small or no changes on plants. In summary, the results point out that AgNPs may negatively affect the photosynthesis process when accumulated in the leaves, and that the NPs themselves were mainly responsible since negligible Ag+ release was detected

Phytotoxicité et transfert sol-plante des éléments traces métalliques (influence de l'alimentation minérale)

L'objectif premier de notre étude a été d'acquérir une meilleure connaissance de l'effet d'un excès de cuivre sur la photosynthèse et la croissance des plantes. L'inhibition de la croissance est à l'origine de l'inhibition de la photosynthèse en condition de contamination modérée en cuivre. Ce n'est qu'aux fortes contaminations que le métal altère directement la photosynthèse et la croissance. L'accumulation du cuivre au niveau du système racinaire constitue une stratégie de protection des parties aériennes. Un autre objectif a été de déterminer l'influence de l'alimentation en soufre sur la phytotoxicité et le transfert sol-plante du cuivre. Une nutrition soufrée optimale protège légèrement l'expansion foliaire de plants de concombre vis-à-vis d'un faible stress cuivrique. Cette action positive n'a pas pour origine une modification des transferts sol-plante du métal. L'hypothèse serait que des mécanismes de protection (cycle ascorbate-glutathion, phytochélatines) soient impliqués.The first aim of this work was to improve the knowledge of copper excess effects on photosynthesis and growth of plants. Growth inhibition of cucumber plants by low copper excess induce photosynthesis inhibition. By strong copper contamination the photosynthesis and the growth are directly altered. The storage of metals in the roots seems to be a shoots protection strategy for plants. An other aim of this work was to bring about the influence of sulphur supply on phytotoxicity and soil to plant copper transfers. A sufficient sulphur nutrition gives a slight protection for leaf expansion of cucumber contaminated by low copper excess. This positive influence is not linked with modification of soil to plant copper transfers. The hypothesis would be that the mechanisms of protection and detoxification such as ascorbate-glutathion cycle or phytochelatins could be involved.BELFORT-BU L. FEBVRE (900102102) / SudocSudocFranceF

Effect of copper on growth in cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus) and its relationships with carbohydrate accumulation and changes in ion contents

International audienceTwenty-day-old cucumber plants were Submitted to copper stress during 5 days. Leaf expansion rather than dry weight accumulation was the first target of copper inhibition. Despite of a higher copper accumulation in the second leaf (SL) rather than in the first (FL), photosynthesis decrease was more pronounced in the latter. Since leaf expansion declined, leaves became a weak sink and this might account for the observed accumulation of carbohydrates in leaves. This accumulation could induce a feedback inhibition of photosynthesis. The significant accumulation of starch and sucrose did not occur in roots and seemed to be confined to leaves. Copper was sequestered primarily in the roots. The ion distribution (calcium, potassium and magnesium) between roots and leaves of cucumber plants suggested that the uptake and the upward translocation of these ions Could be altered by copper excess. The decrease in potassium content may have played a crucial role in the inhibition of leaf expansion. Moreover, in leaves, the observed decline of magnesium content could contribute to the reduction in net assimilation rate and to the accumulation of assimilates in leaves