Elucidating the nanoparticle pathways in plants for efficient/improved foliar fertilization"

In the framework of a larger project which aims to advance the use of nanotechnology in foliar fertilization in plants, we propose to provide the first direct evidence how nanoparticles (NPs) cross the leaf-surface and and how they translocate in the phloem. Our previous pilot observations of NPs in the Phloem using X-ray microtomography provides hints how to design a nano-scale imaging study to capture the pathways of NPs and verify if the theoretical descriptions of the NP uptake and translocation process correspond to reality. We will use barley and soy bean plants, both live and freshly harvested parts and complement the full-field tomographic and radiographic imaging with XRF elemental maps of Mn.