Foliar spray of TiO2 nanoparticles prevails over root application in reducing Cd accumulation and mitigating Cd-induced phytotoxicity in maize (Zea mays L.)

Cadmium (Cd) pollution is considered one of the global environmental issues due to its adverse effects on plant and human health. With the rapid development of nanotechnology and the practical application of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in agriculture, the mechanisms underlying the interactions between NPs and heavy metal on their uptake, accumulation, and phytotoxicity in crops are still not fully understood. Therefore, the impact of TiO2 NPs (0, 100, 250 mg/L) and Cd (0, 50 μM) co-exposure on hydroponic maize (Zea mays L.) was determined under two exposure modes. Results showed that root co-exposure to TiO2 NPs and 100 mg/L Cd significantly enhanced Cd uptake and produced greater phytotoxicity in maize than foliar exposure to TiO2 NPs. Meanwhile, plant dry weight and chlorophyll content showed a reduction of 45.3% and 50.5%, respectively, when compared with single Cd treatment. In addition, the accumulation of Ti in shoots and roots increased by 1.61 and 4.29 times, respectively when root exposure to 250 mg/L TiO2 NPs. By contrast, foliar exposure of TiO2 NPs could markedly decrease shoot Cd contents from 15.2% to 17.8% and had a stronger influence on alleviating Cd-induced toxicity via increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities and upregulating several metabolic pathways, including galactose metabolism and citrate cycle, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, as well as glycine, serine and threonine metabolism. This study provides a new strategy for the application of TiO2 NPs in crop safety production in Cd contaminated soils. Compared with root exposure, foliar exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles is more effective to alleviate cadmium toxicity and reduce Cd content in maize. [Display omitted] •Root exposure to TiO2 NPs resulted in greater phytotoxicity and high Ti accumulation.•Foliar exposure could significantly reduce Cd contents in maize.•The response of plants to Cd and TiO2 NPs highly depended on exposure mode.•Foliar exposure exerted a stronger influence on the interactive metabolome between Cd and TiO2 NPs.