Scientific Reports· 2026Q1
Green-synthesized copper nanoparticles differentially modulate germination and selected stress-response genes in Phelipanche aegyptiaca
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- 2026year
Short summary
Green-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) at 1 mg L⁻¹ stimulated Phelipanche aegyptiaca germination by ~10-fold under non-inductive conditions, while higher concentrations (10-25 mg L⁻¹) inhibited germination and growth by over 97%.
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Key points
- Low-dose (1 mg L⁻¹) green-synthesized CuO-NPs stimulated Phelipanche aegyptiaca germination from ~0.7% to ~8.1% under non-inductive conditions.
- High-dose (10-25 mg L⁻¹) CuO-NPs inhibited germination and radicle growth by over 97%, even with optimal strigolactone stimulation.
- CuO-NPs, unlike bulk CuSO₄, dose-dependently upregulated antioxidant (SOD, APX) and phenylpropanoid (PAL) genes.
- EDS analysis showed CuO-NPs led to more dispersed copper deposition on seed coats compared to bulk CuSO₄.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Abstract Egyptian broomrape ( Phelipanche aegyptiaca ) is a devastating parasitic weed requiring eco-friendly control strategies. This in vitro study investigated the effects of green-synthesised copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles, produced using Anethum graveolens extract, on P. aegyptiaca germination and targeted stress-gene expression. Nanoparticles were physicochemically characterised via TEM, DLS, and FTIR. Germination bioassays (1–25 mg L⁻¹ CuO-NPs; 25 mg L⁻¹ bulk CuSO₄) were conducted under four distinct physiological conditions. Under non-inductive conditions, 1 mg L⁻¹ CuO-NPs stimulated germination from ~ 0.7% to ~ 8.1%, indicating a clear hormetic response. Conversely, 10–25 mg L⁻¹ CuO-NPs caused strong germination inhibition and radicle-growth suppression (> 97% reduction), even under optimal strigolactone stimulation. Unlike bulk CuSO₄, CuO-NPs triggered dose-dependent upregulation of antioxidant and phenylpropanoid genes ( SOD , APX , PAL ) and significantly elevated phenolic and flavonoid contents. Furthermore, EDS revealed that CuO-NPs produced more spatially dispersed copper deposition on seed coats compared to localised aggregates formed by bulk copper. These findings demonstrate that green-synthesised CuO-NPs effectively modulate parasitic weed germination and stress-related gene expression in vitro , highlighting their promising potential for targeted seed-bank management pending further comprehensive environmental and host-safety validation.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Scientific Reports, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Plant Science
Plant ScienceAgricultural and Biological Sciences