Dose-Dependent Biological Effects in Iron, Copper, and Cobalt Nanoparticles on Vetch and Spring-Wheat Plants

The effect of iron, copper, and, for comparison, cobalt nanoparticles (NPs) on agricultural plants is studied for the creation of new-generation fertilizers and growth stimulants. The effect of metallic NPs 20–100 nm in size is determined in the concentration range from 0.01 to 100 g per hectare of the seeding rate of vetch and wheat. The results obtained clearly show an increase in the seed-germination capacity and viability, as well as in the metric parameters of seedlings, under the action of NPs. This is due to the fact that NPs can release an additional amount of hydrogen (protons and electrons) in an aqueous medium due to their high reducing ability. Aqueous solutions of iron, copper, and cobalt NPs are characterized by a decrease in the pH value of the suspensions upon dissolution, which is an additional source of energy in the plant-respiration process.