Abstract
This study is the first report on the biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) which mediate in-vitro callus induction and shoot regeneration in economically important recalcitrant chickpea crop (Cicer arietinum L.). Here, we used leaf extract of Cymbopogon jwarancusa for the synthesis of IONPs in order to achieve a better biocompatibility. The bioactive compounds in C. jwarancusa leaf extract served as both reducing and capping agents in the fabrication process of IONPs. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) revealed rods like surface morphology of IONPs with an average diameter of 50±0.2 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) depicted formation of pure IONPs with 69.84% Fe and 30.16% O2. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) validate the crystalline structure, chemical analysis detect the presence of various biomolecular fingerprints in the as synthesized IONPs. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy depicts activity of IONPs under visible light. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) displayed thermal loss of organic capping around 500°C and confirmed their stabilization. The biosynthesized IONPs revealed promising results in callus induction, shoot regeneration and root induction of chickpea plants. Both chickpea varieties Punjab-Noor 09 and Bittle-98 explants, Embryo axes (EA) and Embryo axes plus adjacent part of cotyledon (EXC) demonstrated dose-dependent response. Among all explants, EXC of Punjab-Noor variety showed the highest callogenesis (96%) and shoot regeneration frequency (88%), while root induction frequency was also increased to 83%. Iron content was quantified in regenerated chickpea varieties through inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The quantity of iron is significantly increased in Punjab-Noor regenerated plants (4.88 mg/g) as compare to control treated plants (2.42 mg/g). We found that IONPs enhance chickpea growth pattern and keep regenerated plantlets infection free by providing an optimum environment for rapid growth and development. Thus, IONPs synthesized through green process can be utilized in tissue culture studies in other important recalcitrant legumes crops.
Highlights
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important legume crop in the world with an annual yield of 11.6 million tons [1]
A rapid, simple and cheap method for the green synthesis of Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) has been efficaciously demonstrated for first time using leaf extracts of C. jwarancusa
The study concludes that green synthesis of IONPs has proved to be a more biocompatible, efficient, sustainable, and economical method, which can be used efficaciously in plant tissue culture studies
Summary
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important legume crop in the world with an annual yield of 11.6 million tons [1]. Mainly Ascochyta blight and Fusarium wilt are the major biotic constraints involved in significant yield loss of chickpea crop worldwide [7] To overcome these production restraints, it is imperative to use advanced biotechnological approach for the improvement of legumes and to understand the genetics of multifaceted traits [8]. Green synthesized nanomaterial’s enhance the productivity of crops, accelerate plant germination and regeneration capacity, and develop crop resistance against various biotic and abiotic stresses. It is, vital to use micronutrients in the form of nanoparticles to increase the crop productivity [17]. IONPs have significantly enhanced growth in the strawberry, corn, tomato, rapeseed, and sorghum [27,28,29]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
