Effect of Nano Chitosan on Growth, Physiological and Biochemical Parameters of Phaseolus vulgaris under Salt Stress

Abstract

Salt stress is one of the abiotic stresses; it is a major factor which reduces crop productivity. Nano particles have become a pioneer material in agriculture research nowadays because they have unique physicochemical properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chitosan nanoparticles on germination and seedling growth parameters under salt stress condition for bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris L). Moreover the effect of nano chitosan combined with selected concentration of salinity (100mM NaCl) on germination and vegetative growth was also examined. Different concentrations of salinity (50 mM, 100 mM and 150 mM NaCl) was used. Data indicated that salinity decreased salt tolerance index S.T.I of germination percentage as well as seedling growth. The bad effect was higher in 150 mM concentration; so the second experiment was continued with the 100 mM NaCl concentration. The treatment of bean plantwith 100 mM of salt combined with different concentration of nano chitosan (0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%) indicated that nano chitosan in all concentrations significantly promoted seed germination and radical length under salt stress. The best treatment on germination was 0.3 % of nano chitosan. Growth variables (plant height, leaf area, fresh and dry weights of the shoot and root) were increased significantly. High significant increase in both M.S.I and Chl.a, similarly , catalase , proline, RWC, Chl.b , caroteniods and antioxident enzymes showed positive eefect at 0.1% concentrarion.