Effect of copper oxide nanoparticles on two varieties of sweetpotato plants

• Published in: Plant physiology and biochemistry 2020-09, Vol.154, p.277-286
• Main Authors: Bonilla-Bird, N.J., Ye, Y., Akter, T., Valdes-Bracamontes, C., Darrouzet-Nardi, A.J., Saupe, G.B., Flores-Marges, J.P., Ma, L., Hernandez-Viezcas, J.A., Peralta-Videa, J.R., Gardea-Torresdey, J.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: biochemistry; chlorophyll; cupric oxide; gas exchange; lignin; nanoparticles; periderm; plant physiology; soil; sweet potatoes
• ISSN: 0981-9428; 1873-2690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.06.009

Little information is available on the interaction of CuO nanoparticles (nCuO) with tuberous roots. In this study, Beauregard-14 (B-14, low lignin) and Covington (COV, high lignin) sweetpotato varieties were cultivated until maturity in soil amended with nCuO, bulk copper oxide (bCuO) and CuCl2 at 25–125 mg/kg. The Cu treatments had no significant influence on chlorophyll content. Gas exchange parameters were not affected in B-14. In COV, however, at 125 mg/kg treatments, bCuO reduced the intercellular CO2 (11%), while CuCl2 increased it by 7%, compared with control (p ≤ 0.035). At 25 mg/kg nCuO increased the length of COV roots (20.7 ± 2.0 cm vs. 14.6 ± 0.8 cm, p ≤ 0.05). In periderm of B-14, nCuO, at 125 mg/kg, increased Mg by 232%, while the equivalent concentration of CuCl2 reduced P by 410%, compared with control (p ≤ 0.05). The data suggest the potential application of nCuO as nanofertilizer for sweetpotato storage root production. [Display omitted] •Root length from high lignin content sweetpotato was increased at 25 ppm nCuO.•Mg increased in the periderm of low lignin content sweetpotato at 125 ppm nCuO.•Data suggest the potential application of nCuO as nanofertilizer for sweetpotato.