Influence of iron nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ and Fe₂O₃) on the growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant balance of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum)

Institute of Basic Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences - a separate subdivision of the FRC PSCBI RAS, Pushchino, Russia

^* Corresponding author: vkreslav@rambler.ru

Abstract

More and more attention is paid to the development of technologies using iron nanoparticles in agriculture. In this regard, the effect of treatment of wheat seeds with various concentrations of iron nanoparticles Fe₃O₄ and Fe₂O₃ on the accumulation of biomass, the rate of photosynthesis and respiration, as well as on photochemical activity and antioxidant balance was studied. The seeds were treated for 3 h, germinated for 2 days in Petri dishes, transplanted into sand and grown under light for 18 days without mineral nutrition until the third leaf appeared. At a Fe₃O₄ concentration of 200 mg L^-1 a significant increase in the dry biomass of the second leaf by 45% and the rate of photosynthesis by 16% was observed. At a concentration of nanoparticles in the form of Fe₂O₃ of 200 and 500 mg L^-1, an increase in the rate of photosynthesis in the second leaf was also observed, but not in the biomass of the leaves. The activity of photosystem 2, estimated from the Fv/Fm value, also increased in experiments with nanoiron. However, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, guaiacol-dependent peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, decreased. It is assumed that the acceleration of growth at an early stage of wheat development is associated with an increase in photosynthetic processes.