Work

Iron partitioning and photosynthetic performance in Cannabis sativa L. reveal limitations of nanoscale zero-valent iron as a fertilizer

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Iron (Fe) is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust but remains the third most limiting nutrient for crop productivity due to its low solubility in most soils. The emergence of nanotechnology has introduced nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) as a potential Fe fertilizer with high surface reactivity and improved bioavailability. However, its comparative efficacy relative to conventional chelated Fe sources remains poorly understood. This study investigated Fe partitioning, photosynthetic efficiency, biomass accumulation, and cannabinoid synthesis in Cannabis sativa L. grown hydroponically under Fe-EDTA, nZVI, or Fe-deficient (-Fe) treatments. Total Fe concentrations were markedly reduced in -Fe plants compared with both Fe-EDTA and nZVI treatments. Despite similar root Fe contents between Fe-EDTA and nZVI, only Fe-EDTA facilitated efficient translocation to shoots, while nZVI-derived Fe predominantly accumulated in roots. Consequently, nZVI-treated plants exhibited intermediate photosynthetic performance and water-use efficiency—lower than Fe-EDTA but significantly higher than -Fe. Although Fe translocation differed substantially, inflorescence biomass and cannabinoid yield were comparable between nZVI and Fe-EDTA treatments, both exceeding those of -Fe plants. These results suggest that yield reductions under Fe deficiency arise not solely from Fe scarcity but also from the metabolic costs of Strategy I Fe acquisition, which are partially circumvented by root Fe availability from nZVI. Overall, Fe-EDTA demonstrated superior nutrient use efficiency, whereas nZVI partially alleviated Fe deficiency and revealed distinctive interactions between nanomaterials and plant Fe physiology. This study advances understanding of nZVI as an alternative Fe source in C. sativa and provides new insights into nanoparticle–plant nutrient dynamics. • nZVI increased root Fe but failed to translocate it to cannabis shoots. • Cannabinoid concentrations remained stable across all Fe treatments. • Fe-EDTA enhanced photosynthesis and yield more effectively than nZVI. • Reduced Water Use Efficiency in nZVI compared to Fe-EDTA.

Source: Plant Nano Biology

DOI: 10.1016/j.plana.2025.100221

Authors: Christian Büser, Jens Hartung, Lukas Deuring, Simone Graeff-Hönninger

Institutions: University of Hohenheim, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Plant Micronutrient Interactions and Effects

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,380