Responses of Moringa oleifera to alteration in soil properties induced by calcium nanoparticles (CaNPs) on mineral absorption, physiological indices and photosynthetic indicators

Abstract Background The application of nanofertilisers in agriculture has been widely utilised due to their distinct characteristics and negative impacts of conventional chemical fertilisers. This study thus examined the influence of calcium nanoparticles (CaNPs) on soil composition vis-à-vis performance parameters in Moringa oleifera L exposed to water, 100 mg Ca(NO3)2kg−1 soil and 100, 75 and 50 mg CaNPs kg−1 soil. Soil morphology was determined with a scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX) and elemental composition in both soils and M. oleifera roots determined with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Results The CaNP-amended soils were more crystalline, more fertile and had reduced salinity. An increase in immobilisation percentage of heavy metals, improvement in physiological parameters (percentage germination, vigour indices, relative water contents, lengths of roots and shoots) and photosynthetic efficiency in M. oleifera were recorded. Conclusion This study has demonstrated that CaNPs could improve soil composition for better plant performance and can act as nanofertilisers mobilising essential nutrients. Graphical abstract

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Essential elements in the different type of fruits, soil and water samples collected from Markazi province, Iran: a health risk assessment study

Quality Assurance and Safety of Crops & Foods ◽

10.15586/qas.v12i3.777 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 111-125

Author(s):

Mohammad Rezaei ◽

Ali Akbar Malekirad ◽

Maryam Jabbari ◽

Maryam Karimi-Dehkordi ◽

Bahareh Ghasemidehkordi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Samples ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Optical Emission ◽

Essential Elements ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Noncarcinogenic Risk ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Soil And Water

Fruits could contain elements in various concentrations, which can have both positive and negative impacts on human health. The concentrations of essential elements, including Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), and Chromium (Cr) in five types of fruits, namely, peach, apple, grape, nectarine, and golden plum, and the soil and irrigation water from six industrial zones of Markazi province, Iran, were evaluated using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) technique. The noncarcinogenic risk was assessed by determining the target hazard quotient and the Monte Carlo simulation model. The highest concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Cr were observed in golden plum, while the highest concentrations of Cu and Zn were noted in grape and apple, respectively. The order of the mean of concentrations of elements in the soil and water samples were Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr. The transfer factor (TF) results indicate that studied fruits could not absorb a high amount of these elements from the soil (TF < 1). Target hazard quotient values of these elements in both adults and chil-dren were ranked as Cr > Cur > Fe > Mn > Zn. The target hazard quotient was 95% and total target hazard quo-tient was <1, meaning that the consumption of fruits is safe for consumers.

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