TiO2 nanoparticles dose, application method and phosphorous levels influence genotoxicity in Rice (Oryza sativa L.), soil enzymatic activities and plant growth

S Phziya Tariq Waani; Shagufta Irum; Iram Gul; Khurram Yaqoob; Muhammad Usman Khalid; Muhammad Arif Ali; Umair Manzoor; Tayyaba Noor; Shafaqat Ali; Muhammad Rizwan; Muhammad Arshad

doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.111977

TiO₂ nanoparticles dose, application method and phosphorous levels influence genotoxicity in Rice (Oryza sativa L.), soil enzymatic activities and plant growth

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2021 Apr 15:213:111977. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.111977. Epub 2021 Feb 9.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.
² Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan; Department of Environmental Science, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan.
³ School of Chemical and Material Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.
⁴ NIAB College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, (PIEAS), Islamabad, Pakistan.
⁵ Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
⁶ National University of Technology (NUTech), Islamabad, Pakistan.
⁷ Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan; Department of Biological Sciences and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan. Electronic address: shafaqataligill@yahoo.com.
⁸ Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
⁹ Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan. Electronic address: marshad@iese.nust.edu.pk.

PMID: 33578101
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.111977

Abstract

The present study focused on investigating the effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) on rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth and changes in soil health in two contrasting soil textures (silt-loam and clay). Moreover, response of rice to different methods of TiO₂NPs application and phosphorous fertilizer levels were also evaluated. For toxicity assessment, pot experiment was carried out. TiO₂NPs (0, 500, 750 mg kg^-1) were applied and plants were grown till vegetative stage. After harvesting, physiological parameters, stress assay, soil microbial and enzymatic activities were determined. Based on the results of toxicity study, impact of three methods of TiO₂NPs application (foliar, irrigation, soil) and four phosphorous fertilizer levels (0, 10, 20, 40 mg kg^-1) on rice growth were assessed. During the 1st phase, results showed an adverse effect of TiO₂NPs on plant growth and soil microorganisms in both soil textures at 750 mg kg^-1. The H₂O₂ production, lipid peroxidation and leaf membrane injury index were increased by 4.3-, 2.4-, and 1.9-folds in clay soil upon 750 mg kg^-1 TiO₂NPs application. Likewise, at the same level of TiO₂NPs; microbial biomass, dehydrogenase, and respiration were decreased by 0.91-, 0.79-, and 0.78- folds respectively. In 2nd phase, maximum shoot length, biomass, phosphorous uptake and rice grain protein content were observed under application of TiO₂NPs (500 mg kg^-1) through irrigation method in combination with 40 mg P kg^-1. However, 20 and 40 mg P kg^-1 performed equally well upon TiO₂NPs application and the results were not statistically significant. The results suggest that 750 mg kg^-1 of TiO₂NPs negatively affect plant growth and soil enzymatic activities. Moreover, combined application of TiO₂NPs (500 mg kg^-1) through irrigation and 20 mg P kg^-1 is recommended to be the optimum for growth of rice plant.

Keywords: Application methods; Oryza sativa; Plant growth; Soil enzymatic activity; Soil texture; Stress assay; TiO(2) NPs.

MeSH terms

Biomass
Clay
Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
Nanoparticles
Oryza / metabolism
Oryza / physiology*
Phosphorus / metabolism*
Plant Development
Plant Leaves / metabolism
Soil
Soil Pollutants / analysis
Soil Pollutants / toxicity*
Titanium / metabolism*

Substances

Soil
Soil Pollutants
titanium dioxide
Phosphorus
Hydrogen Peroxide
Titanium
Clay