Impact of iron oxide nanoparticles on yellow medick (Medicago falcata L.) plants

• Published in: Journal of plant interactions Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Kokina, Inese, Plaksenkova, Ilona, Jermaļonoka, Marija, Petrova, Anastasija
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 01.01.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Airborne microorganisms; Alfalfa; Chlorophyll; chlorophyll a; Control stability; Fluorescence; Fungal diseases; Fungi; Genomes; Genomic instability; Genotoxicity; Hydroponics; Iron oxides; microRNA; miRNA; Morphology; Nanoparticles; Plant diseases; Plant morphology; Plant resistance; Plant roots; Plant species; Powdery mildew; Yellow medick
• ISSN: 1742-9145; 1742-9153
• DOI: 10.1080/17429145.2019.1708489

A large number of studies have explored the effects of various nanoparticles (NPs) on different economically important plant species. In this study, yellow medick plants were grown for five weeks using hydroponics with the addition of Fe 3 O 4 NPs at 1, 2 and 4 mg/L. Plant morphology, chlorophyll a, genotoxicity and expression of miR159c, one of the most important plant miRNA that is involved in plant response to fungal infections, were investigated. The results indicated that Fe 3 O 4 NPs significantly increased plant root length (9%-32%), chlorophyll a fluorescence (1.94-2.8-fold), miRNA expression (0.31-0.42-fold), induced genotoxicity and reduced genome stability (12.5%-13.3%), compared to those of the control. The study demonstrated that Fe 3 O 4 NPs simultaneously induce genome instability in yellow medick and increase expression of miR159c. Therefore, Fe 3 O 4 NPs can be used to increase plant resistance to fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew.