Nanochemistry and biotechnology

Positive effects of monometal nanoparticles (Ag and TiO2) and polymetal nanoparticles on plant growth. Comparative study
Kalinichenko K.V.1, Nikovskaya G.N.1
1 Colloidal Technologies of the Natural Systems Department, F.D. Ovcharenko Institute of Biocolloidal Chemistry, Natl. Acad. of Sci. of Ukraine. Vernadsky Blvd, 42, Kiev-03680, Ukraine.
E-mail: KirKa_@bigmir.net

According to available information majority studies on nanoparticles (NPs) have elucidated their toxicity for alive cells and organisms. However, at optimal concentrations, Ag and TiO2 NPs are able to increase the main metabolic activities after penetration into plant cells. At the same time there is lack of information on the influence of several NPs at their combined introduction into soil. We have proposed [1] sludge nanocomposite (SNC) on the base of biosolid from municipal wastewater treatment plant. After special pretreatment (bioleaching of metal excess) it converts into nanofertilizer containing full set of essential polymetal nanoparticles (Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Ni) stabilized by sludge microbial heteropolysaccharides. The main of the present study was to compare the effects of monometal NPs (Ag and TiO2), and polymetal NPs (SNC) on plant growing in poor podzolic soil.
Common been (Phaséolus vulgáris) was probed as plant culture. Soil samples were enriched with monometal NPs with concentrations – 60 ppm. 4% of sludge nanocomposite was added to soil samples with concentration of metal NPs – Fe – 620.5 ppm, Zn – 51.8 ppm, Cu – 11.4 ppm, Mn – 7.9 ppm, Ni – 2.1 ppm. The size of AgNPs ranged between 50-60 nm, TiO2 – 25 nm, metals NPs in SNC – 40 – 80 nm. Treatment of soil with Ag NPs or TiO2 NPs has showed only 60-50 % increase in plant fresh weight, and up to 10 % increase in root and shoot length over the control while in the case of SNC exceeding in fresh weight, and root and shoot length overcontrol has achieved 200 %, and 80 and 60 %, respectively. Further development in researches of plant-soil-polymetal nanocomposite interactions may open a good perspective for soil fertility and plant yield management.

1.	Kalinichenko K.V., Nikovskaya G.N. Gel nanocomposites with immobilized bioelements for plant nutrition // In: Nanophysics, Nanophotonics, Surface Studies and Applictions, O. Fesenko & L. Yatsenko (Eds.). – Switzerland: Springer, 2016. – P. 439 – 449.