Mulberry based zinc nano-particles mitigate salinity induced toxic effects and improve the grain yield and zinc bio-fortification of wheat by improving antioxidant activities, photosynthetic performance, and accumulation of osmolytes and hormones

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.920570
• Publication Date: 2022-09-27T07:23:35Z
• Authors: Muhammad Umer Cha...; Tahira Amjad; Imran Khan; Muhammad Nawaz; Muqarrab Ali; Muhammad Bilal Ch...; Hayssam M. Ali; Rehab Y. Ghareeb; Nader R. Abdelsalam; Saira Azmat; Lorenzo Barbanti; Muhammad Umair Ha...
• Keywords: Osmolyte; Stomatal Conductance

Salinity stress (SS) is a challenging abiotic that limits crop growth and productivity. Sustainable cost effective methods are needed to improve production decrease the deleterious impacts of SS. Zinc (Zn) nano-particles (NPs) have emerged as an important approach regulating plant tolerance against However, mechanisms SS mediated by Zn-NPs not fully explained. Thus, this study was performed explore role (seed priming foliar spray) in reducing on wheat plants. The comprised different levels: control, 6 12 dS m-1, treatments: seed (40 ppm), spray (20 their combination. markedly reduced growth, biomass, grain yield. This associated with enhanced electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl) accumulation, photosynthetic pigments, relative water contents (RWC), rate (Pn), transpiration (Tr), stomata conductance (Gs), use efficiency (WUE), free amino acids (FAA), total soluble protein (TSP), indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic (GA), nutrients (Ca, Mg, K, N, P). application significantly improved yield crop, which abscisic (ABA), MDA, H2O2 concentration, EL, owing antioxidant activities, increase RWC, Pn, Tr, WUE, accumulation osmoregulating compounds (proline, sugars, TSP, FAA) hormones (GA IAA). Furthermore, contrasted salinity-induced uptake toxic ions (Na Cl) increased Ca, P. Additionally, substantially Zn bio-fortification. Our results support previous findings yield, bio-fortification, demonstrating beneficial effects obtained under normal well adverse conditions, thanks physiological activity useful compounds. sets premise for general wheat, aim more experimental evidence intensively being sought. Further studies at genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic level better acknowledge enhancement observed application.