Response of tomato plants to interaction effects of magnetic (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles and cadmium stress

Abstract

Research on nanotechnology as an emerging discipline has advanced several branches of technology. Although iron is considered as an essential element for plant growth, its role in mitigating abiotic stresses has not been studied widely. Therefore, in this research, it has been attempted to investigate the effect of magnetic Fe3o4 nanoparticles on tomato plants under cadmium stress using 5 levels of magnetic (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (nano-Fe3O4) (0, 10, 20, 50, 100 mg/L) and 3 levels of CdCl2 (0, 100, 200 μM). Cadmium reduced growth and photosynthesis parameters as well as nutritional elements and increased the content of MDA, H2O2, and proline in tomato plants. Meanwhile 20 mg/L nano-Fe3o4 was able to improve cadmium toxicity by reduction in cadmium accumulation and increase in nutrient intake. However, 20 mg/L nano-Fe3o4 is potentially useful for plant growth and may motivate the variations of plants defense mechanisms in response to cadmium toxicity.