Humidity induced opening of stomata leads to enhanced uptake of copper nanoparticles in Triticum aestivum L.

Abstract An efficient method for enhanced uptake of nanoparticles in wheat has been developed in the present study. Artificial humid environment was created through foliar spray around the leaves, followed by foliar exposure to CuO NPs after 5–30 min of foliar water spray during daytime (∼1 pm), and their effect on stomatal behavior were noted. Foliar water spray induced opening of the closed stomata for ∼30 min before stomata returned to their default (closed) state. An increased uptake of copper nanoparticles (upto 6.8 folds) was recorded in leaves with artificially induced open stomata than the control (without foliar water spray). The results indicated that opening of stomata could be induced by increasing humidity locally around the leaves, even when they are in closed state (daytime), which facilitate enhanced CuO NPs uptake. This study, therefore, presents a novel approach to ensure maximum uptake of various nanoformulations prepared to enhance plant vigor and value.