Assessment of photo-modulation, nutrient-use efficiency and toxicity of iron nanoparticles in Vigna radiata

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural practices are in high demand taking into account the environmental pollution and toxicity generated by commercial fertilizers. In order to address such a specific issue, herein, we propose iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) as a suitable alternative to commercially available iron-salt based fertilizers. Being a micronutrient, an excess or deficiency of iron creates toxic response within plant systems. Taking this great challenge in hand, we deliberately applied FeNPs within the mung bean plant taken as a model plant system. FeNPs showed great promise in enhancement of morphological attributes and pigment contents; meanwhile, FeNPs improved the photochemical as well as carbon assimilatory pathway. FeNPs overcome the harmful effect of commercially available iron-fertilizers; even the cellular machinery was well protected and was devoid of any kind of toxic or stress response. Biophysical analysis revealed that FeNPs modulated the activity of FeS proteins for such an overwhelming response. Meanwhile, a brief biosafety study confirmed their biocompatibility for practical applications. We envisioned the promising potential of FeNPs in sustainable agricultural practices.