Effect of Fe3O4 NPs application on fluoride (F) accumulation efficiency of Prosopis juliflora.

Fluoride (F) pollution is a major worldwide problem affecting approximately 200 million people. Hyperaccumulator plant Prosopis juliflora has been used for the removal of F from contaminated soils; however it's low F accumulation efficiency and low biomass limits the phytoremediation efficiency. Present study deals with enhancement of F uptake efficiency of plant P. juliflora through iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) application for remediation of agricultural soils. For the study, Fe3O4 NPs were synthesized through green route using waste jojoba leaves. The application of Fe3O4 NPs significantly increased the shoot and root length of plant P. juliflora. Fe3O4 NPs treatment also promoted the F accumulation in shoot and root tissues upto 28.43 and 34.64 mg kg-1, respectively. Microscopic (FESEM and light microscopic) and EDX spectrum analysis of plant tissues confirmed the accumulation and translocation of Fe3O4 NPs and F in plant tissues This nano-phytoremediation approach could be a better option for F remediation for agricultural and commercial purpose.