Citation:

Tolaymat, T., A. Genaidy, W. Abdelraheem, D. Dionysiou, AND C. Andersen. The Effects of Metallic Engineered Nanoparticles Upon Plant Systems: An Analytic Examination of Scientific Evidence. D. Barcelo (ed.), SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier BV, AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, 579:93-106, (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.229

Impact/Purpose:

The main goal of this study is to examine the evidence in the published literature for the positive and negative effects of metallic ENPs, if any, upon plant systems and to provide insights for these implications in the broader context of the SEE system. An emphasis was made to analyze investigations examining both effects in the same studies. The following specific aims are designed to achieve the study objective: (1) to document the evidence for the effects of metallic ENPs on plants and plant systems; (2) to analyze the evidence in terms of exposure, subject population, study outcomes, study design, and main results; and, (3) to provide insights on the evidence and uncertainties for the constituents of the SEE system. With the above in mind, we were particularly interested to determine whether or not metallic nanoparticles have stimulatory and inhibitory effects upon plants and plant systems so as to broaden the horizon for sustainable agriculture production in terms of higher and safer yields.

Description:

Recent evidence for the effects of metallic engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) on plants and plant systems was examined together with its implications for other constituents of the Society-Environment-Economy (SEE) system. In this study, we were particularly interested to determine whether or not metallic ENPs have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects upon plant performance. An emphasis was made to analyze the scientific evidence on investigations examining both types of effects in the same studies. Analysis of evidence demonstrated that metallic ENPs have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects mostly in well-controlled environments and soilless media. Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) and Cu ENPs have potential for use as micronutrients for plant systems, keeping in mind the proper formulation at the right dose for each type of ENP. The concentration levels for the stimulatory effects of Cu ENPs are lower than for those for nZVI. Newer findings showed that extremely smaller concentrations of Au ENPs (smaller than those for nZVI and Cu ENPs) induce positive effects for plant growth, which is attributed to effects on secondary metabolites. Ag ENPs have demonstrated their usage as antimicrobial/pesticidal agents for plant protection; however, precautions should be taken to avoid higher concentrations not only for plant systems, but also, other constituents in the SEE. Further research is warranted to investigate the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of metallic ENPs in soil media in order to broaden the horizon of sustainable agriculture production in terms of higher and safer yields so as to meet the food requirements of human population.

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