Effects of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles on secondary metabolite synthesis, seed germination, biochemical and molecular characterization of Digitalis ferruginea subsp. ferruginea

Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising field in modern agriculture, presenting potential applications for creating intelligent delivery systems for agricultural chemicals. In this research, we explored the impacts of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) on various aspects of Digitalis ferruginea L. subsp. ferruginea, with a focus on seed germination, bioaccumulation, and translocation. Metal and metal oxide engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) have attracted considerable interest in recent times for their potential applications across diverse fields, but their effects on plant species, especially D. ferruginea L. subsp. ferruginea medicinal plant, remains not completely comprehended. The principal aim of this study is to contribute significantly to understanding the effects of ENPs on medicinal plant physiology, plant growth, bioaccumulation, translocation, and the biochemical analysis of D. ferruginea L. subsp. ferruginea. The experimental design includes the characterization of metal (Cu and Zn) and metal oxide (CuO, ZnO and TiO2) NPs through TEM, SEM, and XRD for crystalline size estimation. Additionally, NPs surface charge and stability are assessed using FTIR and DLS methods. Seed germination assays and measurements of shoot and root growth provide insights into the impact and toxicity of these NPs during early developmental stages. The analysis encompasses the investigation of ENPs uptake, and transport within the D. ferruginea L. subsp. ferruginea plant, examining alterations in stomata and trichomes, photosynthetic rate, stomatal permeability, chlorophyll, and carotenoid levels. The study also aims to understand the bioaccumulation, transport, and toxicity of ENPs in plants, abnormalities in plant cell organelles, induction of chromosomal aberrations by different factors, the determination of stem cell viability, and the occurrence of programmed cell death during plant growth and development. The proposed research project aims to fill a gap in current knowledge by investigating various ENPs and their dual impacts on the physiological, biochemical, and translocation of plant growth, development, and stress responses in D. ferruginea L. subsp. ferruginea. This study represents a pioneering effort to comprehensively explore both the positive and negative effects of ENPs on the selected plant species.