Modifications of morphological and physiological characteristics of pigmented-rice seedlings by application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanomaterials or metal nanoparticles are considered as the agricultural applications with significant response-promoting influence. This research was focused on the influence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) on morphological and physiological processes in pigmented-rice plants at seedling stage. A significant influence of TiO2 NPs on the plant growth, photosynthetic pigment contents and antioxidant enzyme activities in rice seedlings was investigated. The results were also shown that pigmented-rice seedlings growing in TiO2 NPs application significantly differed in the morphological and physiological responses when compared with the control plants. The results presented the plant height and dry weight was significantly affected by TiO2 NPs. The results observed an increase in chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, carotenoid contents and catalase, peroxidase enzyme activities in plant seedlings of TiO2 NPs-treated plants which positive-corresponded with plant growth performances was found. TiO2 NPs-treated seedlings that a high level of TiO2 NPs application exhibited an increase in the plant growth, photosynthetic pigment contents and antioxidant enzyme activities. The amelioration effect of 800 mg L−1 of TiO2 NPs application was shown the highest performances in morphological and physiological responses when compared with the other treatments. Investigation of the results suggests that the morphological and physiological responses due to changes in the plant growth, photosynthetic pigment content and antioxidant enzyme activity parameters may derive from the interaction between TiO2 NPs and plant cells of pigmented-rice seedlings, which are known to play a role in plant development and productivity in the further study.