Short-Term Toxicity of Nano-Vanadium Dioxide To Pea Seedlings

Qun Li

VO2；Peas; Nanotoxicity.

Vanadium dioxide (VO₂) is an inorganic thermochromic compound. At 68 ℃, VO₂ exhibits a crystalline phase transition accompanied by a thermochromic effect, so it has broad application prospects in thermochromic smart windows and so on. VO₂ will inevitably enter the environment in the process of extensive research, application and production. In order to ensure its safe production and use, a systematic environmental toxicity assessment of VO₂ should be carried out. Plants are important producers in the ecosystem. In this study, pea was selected as a plant model exposed to commercially produced nano-vanadium dioxide (S-VO₂) for experimental research. The pea seedlings were exposed to S-VO₂ for 4 days, and then transferred to a stress-free culture system . After incubation in the stress-free culture system for 15 days, the effects of short-term S-VO₂ exposure on growth  of pea seedlings were evaluated by observing the growth of the plants, measuring and analyzing the root length, the length of the upper part of the root, the number of lateral roots, the number of leaves, the leaf area and the biomass content. Theeffects of S-VO₂ on plant physiological characteristics were assessed by measuring leaf photosynthesis and chlorophyll content. The accumulation of V in rhizomes and leaves, and oxidative damage in leaves and roots were measured to evaluate the toxic effects of VO₂ on pea plants.

https://doi.org/10.31871/IJNTR.8.4.5