Cooperative effects of iron oxide nanoparticle (α-Fe₂O₃) and citrate on germination and oxidative system of evening primrose (Oenthera biennis L.)

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the interaction effects of iron oxide nanoparticle (nα-Fe₂O₃) and its bulk counterpart (bα-Fe₂O₃) with and/or without citrate interaction on germination and seedling growth of Oenothera biennis L. We prepared buffered suspensions of nα-Fe₂O₃ and bα-Fe₂O₃ at 4 levels (0, 0.2, 0.5 and 1 g.L⁻¹). The nα-Fe₂O₃ increased 89.17% germination percentage, 53.36% germination tolerance index, 82.21% root tolerance index, and 79.42% ferric reducing antioxidant power. The nα-Fe₂O₃+citrate improved α-Fe₂O₃ function with a 47% relative hypocotyl length, and 97.32% vigor index2 increase. Leaf area, tolerance index of seedling fresh weight increased at bα-Fe₂O₃+citrate. Antioxidant enzyme activities are increased in α-Fe₂O₃+citrate, through which increased biomass and tolerance indices. Oxidative stress control was an important component of this plant’s ability to withstand environmental stress and to succeed in germination and seedling growth. This finding emphasizes that if nα-Fe₂O₃ were used at low and intermediate concentrations, it would not have toxic effects on this plant, and potentially would result in successful stress tolerance and could act as iron fertilizers for the growth of Oenothera biennis L.

KEYWORDS:

• Iron oxide nanoparticle α-Fe₂O₃
• citrate
• germination
• seedling growth
• oxidative stress
• Oenothera biennis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

* To cite this article: Zhika Asadi Kavan, Ramazan Ali Khavari-Nejad, Alireza Iranbakhsh, Farzaneh Najafi. 2020. Cooperative effects of iron oxide nanoparticle (α-Fe₂O₃) and citrate on germination and oxidative system of evening primrose (Oenthera biennis L.). Journal of Plant Interactions.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any grant or financial support from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Notes on contributors

Zhika Asadi-Kavan

Zhika Asadi-Kavan, Phd student in plant physiology, her research focuses on the effects of nanoparticles on physiological changes in medicinal plants. Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Ramazan Ali Khavari-Nejad

Ramazan Ali Khavari-Nejad, a professor in plant physiology and biochemistry, his primary research interests are, plant physiology and biochemistry, Kharazmi University and Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Alireza Iranbakhsh

Alireza Iranbakhsh, a professor in biology, Plant Sciences; Plant Cell and Development, his primary research interests are Cell and Tissue Culture, Molecular Development, Epigenetic, role of Gene Expression. Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Farzaneh Najafi

Farzaneh Najafi, Associate Professor in Plant Biology, her primary research interests are the effect of abiotic and biotic stresses on plants, the study of plant secondary metabolites. Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.