Exogenous application of NaBiF(4) nanoparticle affects wheat root development

BACKGROUND: Nanoparticle causes soil pollution, which affected plant development and then resulted in biomass decreased, especially in crops. However, little is known how sodium nanoparticles affect wheat root development at plant physiological level. RESULTS: We used NaBiF(4) (size of 50–100 nm) to analyze the effect in wheat development at plant physiological level. Under exogenous application of 50 μM NaBiF(4) for treatment, wheat root elongation was inhibited, but fresh weight and dry weight were increased. We also found that NaBiF(4) induced that the plant had lower content of sodium than negative control. Used no-sodium nanoparticle of BiF(3) for another negative control, it was also supported that NaBiF(4) entered into cell to replace of sodium and exported sodium out of plant. These results implied NaBiF(4) might induce sodium export to maintain the balance between sodium and potassium elements. Additionally, metabolism analysis demonstrated that SOD activity was increased, but CAT and POD activity reduced under exogenous treatment of NaBiF4 nanoparticles. CONCLUSIONS: Sodium nanoparticles (NaBiF(4)) inhibited plant development by nanoparticle accumulation and sodium homeostasis broken, and then involved reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling system response. These results provided more sights of sodium nanoparticle effect in plant development.