Carbohydrate-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles affect the germination of Sinapis alba and Chenopodium rubrum seeds through the generations

Abstract

The various applications of cerium oxide nanoparticles (nCeO2), one of the most produced metal oxide nanoparticles, could affect environmental health due to accumulation of uncoated and coated nCeO2 with increased suspension stability. The trans-generational effects on seed characteristics are important components of the life histories of plants representing the pathway from adult to offspring that completes the life cycle. The effects of carbohydrate-coated nCeO2 on the plant seeds through the generations are still unknown. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the treatment of maternal Sinapis alba and Chenopodium rubrum plants with 200 mg/L of uncoated (CeO2) and glucose-, levan-, or pullulan coated nCeO2 (G-, L-, оr P-CeO2) on germination of three generations of seeds. Sinapis alba was selected as a hyperaccumulator of heavy metals, while Chenopodium rubrum was selected as a short-day plant and weed. In Sinapis alba, the results of germination on the 4th day revealed increased germination after the treatment with CeO2 and L-CeO2 nanoparticles in zero generation and after all nCeO2 treatments in the 1st and 2nd generation of seeds. In Chenopodium rubrum, there were no changes after the treatments. It can be concluded that trans-generational effects of the different nCeO2 treatments persist to at least the second generation in seeds. Compared to the same generation control, the 2nd generation of seeds showed the highest sensitivity. The coated nCeO2 were more effective than the uncoated ones. Enhanced germination in three generations of S. alba seeds recommends nCeO2 for application in seed-priming.