Bt-transgenic cotton is more sensitive to CeO2 nanoparticles than its parental non-transgenic cotton

Because genetically modified crops are developing widely in the world while nanoparticles (NPs) are being synthesized and applied in various fields, they will have many opportunities for interactions in the future. The effects of NPs on genetically modified crops therefore require investigation. In the present study, CeO2 NPs were revealed to have toxic effects on root biomass of Bt 29317 at 100 and 500 mg L−1, but had no toxic effects on Jihe 321. Besides, we also studied the effects of CeO2 NPs on nutrient element uptake in transgenic cotton, and found that contents of most nutrient elements (Fe, Ca, Mg, Zn and Na) in roots of Bt 29317 were affected at lower NP concentrations (100 mg L−1) compared with Jihe 321. In addition, ICP-MS analysis revealed that CeO2 NPs were more heavily adsorbed by roots of Bt 29317 than Jihe 321, whereas fewer CeO2 NPs were transported from roots to shoots of Bt 29317 than its non-transgenic counterpart. These data confirm that Bt 29317 is more sensitive to CeO2 NPs than its parental non-transgenic cotton, indicating that nanomaterials are potentially more detrimental to transgenic plants than conventional ones.