biostudies-literatureLi CCMinistry of Science and Technology, TaiwanBuddhist Tzu Chi Medical FoundationBuddhist Tzu Chi Hospital18228https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9617883biostudies-literatureUnknown12(1)Titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) is one of the most common compounds on Earth, and it is used in natural forms or engineered bulks or nanoparticles (NPs) with increasing rates. However, the effect of TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs on plants remains controversial. Previous studies demonstrated that TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs are toxic to plants, because the photocatalytic property of TiO<sub>2</sub> produces biohazardous reactive oxygen species. In contrast, another line of evidence suggested that TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs are beneficial to plant growth. To verify this argument, in this study, we used seed germination of amaranth and cruciferous vegetables as a model system. Intriguingly, our data suggested that the controversy was due to the dosage effect. The photocatalytic activity of TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs posiScientific reportsExposure to low levels of photocatalytic TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles enhances seed germination and seedling growth of amaranth and cruciferous vegetables.PMC9617883TCMMP 111-01-01TCRD111-043107-2311-B-320-002 -MY3 ; 111-2320-B-320 -006 -MY3Jhou SMCiou JWChang HHLi YCChang JHLin YYSun DSLi CCChang JCHung SCChou MLfalseExposure to low levels of photocatalytic TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles enhances seed germination and seedling growth of amaranth and cruciferous vegetables.Titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) is one of the most common compounds on Earth, and it is used in natural forms or engineered bulks or nanoparticles (NPs) with increasing rates. However, the effect of TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs on plants remains controversial. Previous studies demonstrated that TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs are toxic to plants, because the photocatalytic property of TiO<sub>2</sub> produces biohazardous reactive oxygen species. In contrast, another line of evidence suggested that TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs are beneficial to plant growth. To verify this argument, in this study, we used seed germination of amaranth and cruciferous vegetables as a model system. Intriguingly, our data suggested that the controversy was due to the dosage effect. The photocatalytic activity of TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs posi2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Oct2025-04-22T00:58:11.325Z2024-10-18T20:28:52.995ZS-EPMC96178833630958610.1038/s41598-022-23179-9