Analysis of changes in growth parameters and primary root architecture of Arabidopsis thaliana under the influence of copper and iron oxide nanoparticles

Authors

  • Maryia I. Aliakseyeva Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Anna O. Muravitskaya Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Viera S. Mackievic Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Veranika V. Samokhina Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Veranika V. Tarima Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Palina A. Muchinskaya Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Natalia L. Pshybytko Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Vadim V. Demidchik V. F. Kuprevich Institute of Experimental Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 27 Akademichnaja Street, Minsk 220072, Belarus

Keywords:

iron oxide nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles, Arabidopsis thaliana, plant growth and development, plant root, nanofertilisers
Supporting Agencies
This work was carried out with financial support from the Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research within the framework of projects B25KI-086 and B24-060-1, as well as assignment 2.04.5 «Establishing the patterns of toxic effects of metal-containing atmospheric nanopollutants on physiological processes in higher plants» of the state programme of scientific research «Natural resources and environment» for 2021–2025 (state registration No. 20211705).

Abstract

Nanoparticles containing copper and iron oxides are increasingly used in agriculture as nanofertilisers. Despite this, the question of their toxicity for plant organism remains unresolved. To address this, it is necessary to conduct researches on model objects under standardised conditions. This paper presented the results of experiments on the effect of copper oxide nanoparticles (here and further – CuO-NPs) and iron oxide nanoparticles (here and further – Fe3O4-NPs) on the growth parameters and primary root architecture of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. in vertical culture in vitro. Treatment with CuO-NPs at concentrations of 10 and 30 mg/L and Fe3O4-NPs at concentrations of 30; 100 and 300 mg/L stimulated the primary root growth of A. thaliana, while application of CuO-NPs at concentrations above 100 mg/L and Fe3O4-NPs at concentrations above 300 mg/L inhibited this process. It was found that CuO-NPs exhibit lower toxicity than the ionic form Cu2+ (CuCl2) introduced into the gel medium at the same concentrations as the mentioned nanoparticles. Treatment with the studied nanoparticles led to a modification of the primary root architecture: the diameter of the primary root in the mature epidermis zone, the length of the elongation zone of this organ and its diameter in the division zone decreased after the application of CuO-NPs and increased after treatment with Fe3O4-NPs. It was concluded that CuO-NPs and Fe3O4-NPs used for the production of nanofertilisers exhibit relatively low toxicity, while Fe3O4-NPs demonstrate a strong root-stimulating effect under the treatment at a wide range of concentrations.

Author Biographies

  • Maryia I. Aliakseyeva, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    postgraduate student at the department of plant cell biology and bioengineering, faculty of biology

  • Anna O. Muravitskaya, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    postgraduate student at the department of plant cell biology and bioengineering, faculty of biology

  • Viera S. Mackievic, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    senior lecturer at the department of plant cell biology and bioengineering, faculty of biology

  • Veranika V. Samokhina, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    senior lecturer at the department of plant cell biology and bioengineering, faculty of biology

  • Veranika V. Tarima, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    student at the faculty of biology

  • Palina A. Muchinskaya, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    student at the faculty of biology

  • Natalia L. Pshybytko, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    PhD (biology), docent; deputy dean for scientific work, faculty of biology

  • Vadim V. Demidchik, V. F. Kuprevich Institute of Experimental Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 27 Akademichnaja Street, Minsk 220072, Belarus

    doctor of science (biology), сorresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, full professor; chief researcher at the laboratory of plant growth and development

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Published

2025-11-04

Issue

No. 2 (2025): Experimental Biology and Biotechnology

Section

Physiology and Сell Biology

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How to Cite

Aliakseyeva, M. I., Muravitskaya, A. O., Mackievic, V. S., Samokhina, V. V., Tarima, V. V., Muchinskaya, P. A., Pshybytko, N. L., & Demidchik, V. V. (2025). Analysis of changes in growth parameters and primary root architecture of Arabidopsis thaliana under the influence of copper and iron oxide nanoparticles. Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, 2, 25-35. https://doi.org/10.33581/2957-5060-2025-2-%p