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Plants fabricate Fe-nanocomplexes at root surface to counter and phytostabilize excess ionic Fe
P Pardha-Saradhi1, G Yamal, Tanuj Peddisetty
1Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India, ppsaradhi@gmail.com.
Summary
Plant roots can form iron-based nanoparticles (NPs) and nanocomplexes, acting as a natural defense against excessive iron uptake. This phytostabilization mechanism helps plants manage iron levels effectively.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Environmental Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Terrestrial plants exposed to iron (Fe) can form orange-brown complexes around roots.
- These complexes resemble those observed in wetland plants experiencing iron toxicity.
- The formation of iron nanoparticles (NPs) by plant roots was previously uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of intact plant root systems to form iron nanoparticles (NPs) and nanocomplexes.
- To characterize the composition and nature of these Fe-NPs/nanocomplexes.
- To elucidate the role of these formations in plant iron homeostasis.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of 16 plant species to FeCl3 solutions.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX).
- Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD).
- Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
- Ferric chelate reductase activity assays and potassium ferricyanide reduction tests.
- Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).
Main Results:
- All tested plant species formed orange-brown Fe-NPs/nanocomplexes around roots and in the growth medium.
- Characterization confirmed the complexes were amorphous iron-oxyhydroxide NPs.
- Fe-NPs/nanocomplexes formed under sterile conditions, indicating an intrinsic root capability.
- Root systems exhibited ferric chelate reductase activity and strong reducing strength.
- The majority of iron was retained in root-associated nanocomplexes, with minimal shoot translocation (2-3%).
Conclusions:
- Plant root systems possess an inherent ability to generate iron nanoparticles (NPs) and nanocomplexes.
- Formation of Fe-NPs/nanocomplexes is a phytostabilization strategy to limit iron uptake.
- This process represents an evolved homeostasis mechanism for modulating ionic iron absorption.
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