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Zn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 shell effects on Zn uptake and cellular distribution of root applied ZnO NPs

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: ), and compared the efficacy of root- to foliarly-applied NPs. Pepper plants roots were exposed to ZnO NPs (26 ± 8 nm), ZnO_Ph NPs (48 ± 12 nm), or ionic Zn. After 6 weeks, 30-37% of root-applied Zn was absorbed, with 6.0-7.2% (2.4-2.9 μg) reaching the fruits. ZnO_Ph NPs resulted in lower total Zn uptake, but higher mobility into the root vasculature and stem epidermis, likely due to P-Zn co-delivery modulating translocation mechanisms. Foliar application of these NPs led to lower Zn uptake (2.4% for ZnO_Ph NPs; 0.5% for ZnO NPs) compared to root application. However, a greater proportion of the Zn that was taken up for foliar-applied ZnO_Ph NP translocated to the fruits (27%) compared to root application (10%). Root and foliar applications also led to contrasting Zn speciation in the stem vasculature. Foliar-applied Zn formed only carboxyl and phytate-like complexes, while root-applied Zn also formed Zn-S-R complexes, indicating distinct Zn transport and storage responses, possibly explaining the higher relative mobility to the fruits when foliar-applied. These findings demonstrate that Zn uptake efficiency and speciation depend on both application method and nanoparticle formulation. They also suggest that multi-nutrient NPs can fortify foods, potentially offering a new strategy for improving plant nutrition.
DOI: 10.1039/d5en00217f
Authors: Sandra Rodrigues, Sandra Rodrigues, Astrid Avellan, Hiram Castillo-Michel, Matheus C. R. Miranda, Diana Salvador, Aude Calas, Gregory V. Lowry, Sónia M. Rodrigues, Sónia M. Rodrigues
Institutions: Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, University of Aveiro, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Carnegie Mellon University
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Open Access status: hybrid
Funders: National Science Foundation, European Commission, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Centro de Estudos Ambientais e Marinhos, Universidade de Aveiro, European Research Council, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Awards: G1169335522, G143066982, G2149047050, G2219685250, Collaborative Research: Elucidating nanoparticle-plant leaf interactions for designing foliar-applied agrochemicals, G2637256346, G2736865772, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, G312535267, G3534458110, Test and optimization of new nano-enabled materials for agrochemicals’ delivery in real soil-plant systems, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, G4090066734, G425914594, G4631959511, G471092553, ECO-CBET: Foliar applied plant-activated nitrogen delivery agents for sustainable crop production., G587154774, G670901311, G692104159, G7665809008, G8326934881, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar
OpenAlex ID: W4410858801
FWCI: 1.507
Cites: 56
Cited by: 3
Related to: 10