Nano silica’s role in regulating heavy metal uptake in Calendula officinalis

• Published in: BMC plant biology Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 1 - 18
• Main Authors: Samani, Maryam, Ahlawat, Yogesh K, Golchin, Ahmad, Alikhani, Hossein Ali, Baybordi, Ahmad, Mishra, Sadhna, ÅimÅek, üzhan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central Ltd 25.06.2024; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Adsorbents; Alkaline phosphatase; Botanical research; Calendula; Calendula officinalis; Chromium; Copper; Dehydrogenases; Dry matter yield; Environmental aspects; Environmental impact; Enzymatic activity; Enzyme activity; Enzymes; Health aspects; Heavy metals; Lead; Nanoparticles; Nickel; Nutrients; Nutrients uptake; Oil recovery; Phosphatase; Phosphatases; Physiological aspects; Plant tissues; Pollutants; Potassium; Roots; Shoots; Silica; Silicon; Silicon dioxide; Soil acidity; Soil chemistry; Soil contamination; Soil pH; Soil pollution; Toxicity; Urease; Zinc; Iran
• ISSN: 1471-2229; 1471-2229
• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05311-1

Soil contamination with heavy metals poses a significant threat to plant health and human well-being. This study explores the potential of nano silica as a solution for mitigating heavy metal uptake in Calendula officinalis. Greenhouse experiments demonstrated, 1000 mg*kg.sup.- 1 nano silica caused a 6% increase in soil pH compared to the control treatment. Also in 1000 mg. kg.sup.- 1 nano silica, the concentrations of available Pb (lead), Zn (zinc), Cu (copper), Ni (nickel), and Cr (chromium) in soil decreased by 12%, 11%, 11.6%, 10%, and 9.5%, respectively, compared to the control. Nano silica application significantly reduces heavy metal accumulation in C. officinalis exposed to contaminated soil except Zn. In 1000 mg.kg.sup.- 1 nano silica shoots Zn 13.28% increased and roots Zn increased 13% compared to the control treatment. Applying nano silica leads to increase the amount of phosphorus (P) 25%, potassium (K) 26% uptake by plant, In 1000 mg.kg .sup.- 1 treatment the highest amount of urease enzyme activity was 2.5%, dehydrogenase enzyme activity, 23.6% and the highest level of alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity was 13.5% higher than the control treatment. Nano silica, particularly at a concentration of 1000 mg.kg .sup.- 1, enhanced roots and shoots length, dry weight, and soil enzyme activity Moreover, it increased P and K concentrations in plant tissues while decreasing heavy metals uptake by plant.