Titanium dioxide nanoparticles alleviate cadmium toxicity in lentil (Lens culinaris Medic) seeds

Abstract

This research was carried out with the aim of investigating the effects of different concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and cadmium on lentil seed germination and seedling early growth. The experiment was conducted as a factorial layout based on a completely randomized design with four replicates. Test plants were exposed to 0, 100, 250, and 500 ppm of cadmium, and then amended with 0, 100, 200, and 300 ppm of TiO2 nanoparticles. Results demonstrated that the application of 300 ppm of titanium dioxide nanoparticles improved the mean germination time (MGT) and seed germination rate by 39 % and 62 % respectively. Most traits exhibited a decreasing trend as the concentration of cadmium increased. Furthermore, application of 500 ppm of cadmium concentration increased mean germination time compared to the control group (1.667 day). In conclusion, the application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles averted the effect of high cadmium stress on lentils, and maintained the length of the shoot compared to the control. However, further studies on plant life cycles should be performed to detect the inhibitory effects of titanium dioxide on heavy metal toxicity.

Keywords

• heavy metals
• cadmium
• germination
• nanoparticles