Date of Award

2016-01-01

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Geological Sciences

Advisor(s)

Jorge L. Gardea-Torresdey

Abstract

It is imperative to not only understand the impact of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in edible plants, but also the interactions they have with various additives used in agriculture. In this study, kidney bean plants were grown in potting soil treated with nano copper (nCu), bulk copper (bCu), and copper chloride (CuCl2) at concentrations of 0, 50, and 100 mg/kg for 55 and 90 days. At 15 days of growth, 0, 10, and 100 μm of kinetin (KN) were applied to plants. Plant tissue samples were harvested at 55 days and seeds were reaped at 90 days. Physiological and biochemical parameters were investigated. Cu uptake was found to be highest in the roots, while a concentration-dependent increase in Cu concentration by n Cu x KN and bCu x KN was found in leaves. bCu stimulated chlorophyll production up to 28% and a hormesis dose-response was imparted by CuCl2. bCu and CuCl2 treatments also increased Mn (up to 41%) and decreased Mg content (up to 78%) in seeds and stems, respectively. 100 mg/kg CuCl2 + 100 μM KN reduced accumulation of Ca and Mg in seeds and leaves by 56% and 75%. 100 μM KN increased K and Mg accumulation in roots up to 59%, while it decreased P shoots up to 78%. bCu and CuCl2 increased stem length, fresh/dry weight, and water content. Seed yield was largely unaffected. Protein synthesis was stimulated by bCu (11% to 12%), while it was dampened by CuCl2 x KN. Our results demonstrate that bCu and CuCl2 were most influential in modifying the overall physiology and biochemistry of kidney bean plants and that nCu + KN did not have a significant negative effect on nutritional quality or plant integrity.

Language

en

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Size

64 pages

File Format

application/pdf

Rights Holder

Suzanne Annette Apodaca

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