Antioxidant Enzyme Activities Correlated with Growth Parameters of Wheat Sprayed with Silver and Gold Nanoparticle Suspensions

Abdul Manaf,Fatima Tariq,Sajid Fiaz,Yamin Bibi,Abdul Qayyum,Ahmad Sher,Sikander Khan Tanveer,Xiukang Wang,Abdul Razzaq,Hafiz Muhammad Jhanzab

doi:10.3390/agronomy11081494

Abstract

Application of nanotechnology is crucial for a sustainable increase in food production to cope with the increasing food demand of the burgeoning population. Wheat production has to increase significantly for food security in Pakistan with the help of nanotechnology. In biological systems, utilization of nanoparticles has been increased due to their growth-promoting effects on germination, photosynthetic attributes, nutrient use efficiency and metabolic activities. An experiment was conducted with the objective to establish a relationship between growth parameters and antioxidant enzyme activity in response to silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs). Application of Ag (20 mg/L) and Au NPs (10 mg/L) significantly enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and guaiacol peroxidase. Consequently, growth parameters: fresh and dry biomass, leaf area, chlorophyll (a, b) and total chlorophyll contents, also increased significantly. These results suggest that application of Ag and Au NPs has the potential to promote wheat growth through enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activities.

Highlights

IntroductionMajor challenges include the increasing food demand for the growing population
NPs were characterized through SEM for their size measurement
We discovered a noteworthy increment in the fresh weight, dry weight and chlorophyll contents of wheat with 25 mg/L of soil-connected Ag NPs

Summary

Introduction

Major challenges include the increasing food demand for the growing population. The sciences and technologies which can help attain a vertical increase in crop yields are becoming more and more important. The increased probability of physical stresses due to global warming is hindering the goal of increasing food yields [1]. Increased use of agrochemicals is posing a serious threat to human health and the environment [2]. Producing more food, and good-quality food, in a resource-sustainable and environmentally friendly manner is the foremost challenge for agriculture in the coming decades

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Conclusion