The effects of gold nanoparticles on redox status and freezing tolerance of wheat seedlings

The effects of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on the redox status and freezing tolerance of wheat seedlings were studied. Here we show that treatment of winter wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L., var. Moskovskaya 39) with GNPs via their roots increased freezing tolerance by affecting the redox status of plants. Based on the assays with colloidal solutions of gold nanospheres (diameter 15 nm, concentrations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 mu g ml(-1)), a GNPs concentration of 20 mu g ml(-1) had the most pronounced beneficial effect on the growth and survival rate (after freezing at - 3 degrees C for 24 h) of the seedlings. The indices of the intensity of peroxide processes, general antioxidant activity and the content of photosynthetic pigments in wheat leaves in seedlings treated with GNPs were evaluated. The possibility of GNPs to affect the redox status of plants is discussed.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that gold nanoparticles (GNPs) enhance the freezing tolerance of wheat seedlings by altering their redox status. Among the tested concentrations (5, 10, 20, and 50 µg ml(-1)) of GNPs, a concentration of 20 µg ml(-1) has the most pronounced beneficial effect on the growth and survival rate of the seedlings.