Carbon Nanoparticles Promoted the Absorption of Potassium Ions by Tobacco Roots via Regulation of K+ Flux and Ion Channel Gene Expression

Abstract

Background: The regulatory effects of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) on plant growth and their potential applications in agriculture have attracted a great deal of attention from researchers. CNMs have been shown to promote nutrient absorption and increase plant growth. However, the mechanisms by which CNMs affect plant growth and nutrient absorption are still unknown. Methods: The tobacco seedling biomass, potassium (K+) concentration, and accumulation in hydroponic were investigated to exposure of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs). To directly observe the effect of CNPs on K+ uptake by roots, we employed a noninvasive micro-test technique (NMT) to detect the net flux of K+ on the surface of tobacco roots. The K+-depletion experiment was carried out to explore the kinetic characteristics of K+ absorption, and qRT-PCR was used to monitor the expression levels of the K+ channel gene. Results: The results showed that tobacco seedling biomass significantly improved at 10 mg·L-1 CNP treatments, and K+ concentration and accumulation both in roots and shoots increased with 10 and 20 mg·L-1 CNPs. CNP treatments changed the flow rate of K+ from efflux to influx in tobacco roots; this was observed both in plants cultivated in a CNP-containing medium and after the addition of CNPs to previously untreated plants. A depletion test also showed that CNPs improved the K+ absorption capacity and low-K+ tolerance of tobacco seedlings. Conclusion: CNPs enhanced the K+ absorption capacity and low-K+ tolerance of tobacco seedlings. The promotion of K+ absorption by CNPs was closely related to the activation of K+ influx channel genes and inhibition of the K+ outflow channel gene. The K+ flux response and ion channel gene expression to CNPs in plants reveal the mechanism whereby CNPs promote plant nutrient absorption.