Covered Rutile-TiO(2) Nanoparticles Enhance Tomato Yield and Growth by Modulating Gas Exchange and Nutrient Status

Nanotechnology has developed materials that can increase food production while reducing the use of conventional fertilizers. In this study, the effect of two forms of application (foliar and drench) as well as covering or non-covering of the surface of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO(2)) with maltodextrin (MDX) at 1500 ppm was investigated on tomato plants. The results show that treatment of tomato with nTiO(2) increased yield (+21%), while covering the surface of the NPs resulted in a further yield increase (+27%). Similar trends were observed in the dry weight of vegetative plant parts. Fruit firmness (+33%) and total soluble solids (+36%) were enhanced by MDX-covered nTiO(2). Application of nTiO(2) resulted in enhanced SPAD index, photosynthesis rate, NO(3)(−), K, and Ca concentration in the petiole sap, whereas in the fruits there was an increase in P and K in MDX-covered nTiO(2). Considering the dilution effect due to the higher fruit yield, N, P, Mg, Cu, and B increased in plants treated with nTiO(2). Covering the surface with MDX resulted in an enhanced response to nTiO(2), as fruit yield and quality increased compared to plants treated with non-covered nTiO(2).