Abstract
ZnO materials are currently widely used in daily life and production, which would inevitably be discharged into the environment, ultimately affecting ecological safety and human health. At present, there were few studies on the toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) to Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce). In this study, the effects of three zinc species, including ZnO NPs, bulk zinc oxide (ZnO BPs), and zinc ion (Zn2+), on the seed germination and phytotoxicity of lettuce were compared through hydroponic experiments and pot cultivated experiments. The results showed that the germination rate and potential of all zinc species were lower than that of the control, but there was no significant difference. The higher concentration of zinc species inhibited the root growth of lettuce, especially 400 mg·L−1 ZnO NPs and ZnO BPs, which significantly decreased root length, root surface area, root volume, and root tip number. The chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid), CAT, and POD activities of lettuce were decreased compared with that of the control. Besides, it was observed that ZnO NPs penetrated into the cell, ruptured plasma membrane, then shrunk and broke the chloroplast, and scattered starch grains, thus affecting the growth and development of lettuce plants. Fluorescence peaks of root exudates indicated that higher concentration of ZnO NPs and ZnO BPs promoted microbial activity in lettuce roots. Fulvic acid appeared under 400 mg·L−1 ZnO NPs treatment, and humic acid-like appeared under 3.3 mg·L−1 Zn2+ treatment.
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Thanks for the support of the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2020MC088) and the Open Project of Liaocheng University Animal Husbandry Discipline (No. 319312101-18, 319462207-18).
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Zhang, X., Yin, K., Huo, R. et al. Phytotoxic Effects of Different Concentrations of Zinc Species on Lettuce. Water Air Soil Pollut 234, 569 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06554-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06554-8