The interactive effects of diclofop-methyl and silver nanoparticles on Arabidopsis thaliana: Growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant system

Diclofop-methyl (DM), a common post-emergence herbicide, is frequently used in agricultural production. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most widely used nanoparticles, and as such, have been detected and monitored in several environmental systems. Here we investigated the interactive effects of DM and AgNPs on the physiological morphology, photosynthesis and antioxidant system of Arabidopsis thaliana. Our results demonstrated that a 1.0 mg/L DM treatment had no significant effect on the fresh weight of plant shoots and the content of total chlorophyll and anthocyanin. However, a 0.5 mg/L AgNPs treatment was found to significantly inhibit plant growth and chlorophyll synthesis, and was found to cause more severe oxidative damage in plants compared to the effects observed in a hydroponic suspension in which DM and AgNPs were jointly present. Meanwhile, the relative transcript levels of photosynthesis related genes (psbA, rbcL, pgrl1A and pgrl1B) in the combined group were found to be slightly increased compared to transcript levels in the AgNPs group, in order to maintain ATP generation at relatively normal levels in order to repair light damage. One explanation for these observed antagonistic effects was that the existence of DM affects the stability of AgNPs and reduced Ag+ release from AgNPs in the mixed solution. Thereupon, the Ag+-content was found to decrease in shoots and roots in the combined group by 15.2% and 9.4% respectively, compared to the AgNPs group. The coexistence of herbicides and nanomaterials in aquatic environments or soil systems will continue to exist due to their wide usages. Our current study highlights that the antagonistic effects between DM and AgNPs exerted a positive impact on A. thaliana growth. [Display omitted] •DM and AgNPs have an antagonistic effect on the growth of A. thaliana.•DM reduced Ag+ release from AgNPs solution.•DM decreased Ag element absorption by plant tissue.