The 2010 ASHS Annual Conference

Nanotechnology is growing rapidly. Various uses of nanotechnology are being explored in food and agriculture sector. With rapid development of nanotechnology, release of nanoparticles into the environment and contamination of irrigation waters may be inevitable. Both positive and negative impacts of nanoparticles have been reported on plant and animal systems. The objective of work presented here is to assess the impact of nanoparticles may have on growth and development and quality of horticultural crops. In preliminary experiments we incubated pepper seeds in 20 mg/L solutions containing natural organic matter (NOM), NOM + C70 fullerenes or NOM + multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Incubation of pepper seeds with carbon nanoparticles had no impact on germination or growth of pepper seedlings. We observed that pepper seeds absorbed C70 fullerenes through the seed coat during imbibition. As the seedlings grew, fullerenes moved up through the vascular system. As water evaporated, fullerene particles accumulated on stomatal opening. C70 fullerene particles were also found in pepper fruit tissue. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes were not found in leaf or fruit tissues indicating that MWCNT were not transported through the vascular system. In previous studies, cytotoxicity of fullerenes on human and animal cell systems has been reported. Mechanisms of nanoparticle damage to living tissue are unknown but oxidative stress caused by nanoparticles has been proposed as a major cause. Investigations into the impact of nanoparticles in agricultural ecosystems and impact on consumers are warranted.