Paper Title
EFFECTS OF METAL OXIDE NANOPARTICLES ON GROWTH AND GENOTOXICITY OF LEPIDIUM SATIVUM L

Abstract
Abstract - Nanoparticles (NPs) seem to be a promising solution in terms of increasing the crops. Due to their properties, NPs can affect plants more effectively than conventional fertilizers.However, due to insufficient data, benefits and risks of using NPs are unclear. The aim of our study is to investigate the effects of iron oxide NPs (Fe3O4NPs) on morphology, chlorophyll content of cress (Lepidiumsativum L.) and genotoxicity level. Iron is an essential micronutrient for plant vital functions, stimulating the photosynthesis. Cress is a fast-growing plant with significant nutritional and medicinal properties. This important agricultural crop is widespread throughout the world. Despite this, research related to NPs effect on cress is still lacking. After germination, the seedlings were divided into four groups, in three of which Fe3O4 NPs(~25 nm) were added (1,5, 10 mg/l) and control group without NPs. For four weeks, seedlings grew hydroponically. Morphological data were obtained by measuring stem and root length. The chlorophyll level was determined using spectrophotometry and plant extracts, isolated from seedlings’samples. Genotoxicitywas determined by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), using 5 primers. The obtainedresults showed a significant increase in shoot length, light absorption and chlorophyll level in experimental groups, compared to the control. Genotoxicitydata also differed between experimental and control groups. Meanwhile, root length increased insignificantly. The results of our study suggest 25 nm large Fe3O4 NPs at low concentrations may affect cress seedling growth and chlorophyll content. Moreover, Fe3O4 NPs had mainly a positive effect on cress. But, at the same time, these NPs can be genotoxic. These data will complement our knowledge about the effectiveness of NPs as fertilizer. The future studies are necessary to investigate effect of Fe3O4 NPs on cress seedlings grown in soil and measure a content of NPs in cress leaves. Keywords - Iron Oxide (Fe3o4) Nanoparticles, Garden Cress, Genotoxicity, Chlorophyll