Abstract
Abiotic stress caused by drought impairs plant growth and reduces yields. This study aimed to investigate the impact of silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) through the adverse effects of drought on the growth, oxidative stress, and antioxidative response of pea ‘Respect’. Pea plants were grown in a greenhouse before being watered (100 ± 1 mL per pot) or foliar sprayed (ca. 14 ± 0.5 mL plant−1) with suspensions containing SiO2 NPs (0, 12.5 ppm, 25 ppm, and 50 ppm) and were exposed to drought stress for 10 days. Drought stress was created by maintaining 30% of the soil moisture while the control was 80%. The growth parameters of pea grown under drought stress conditions were improved by spraying or watering plants with SiO2 NPs (12.5, 25, and 50 ppm). At drought stress, peas treated with SiO2 NPs (50 ppm) increased their relative water content by 29%, specific leaf area by 17%, and decreased root/shoot ratio by 4% as compared to plant non-treated with SiO2 NPs. In addition, spraying or watering of SiO2 NPs increased peas tolerance to drought by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes at least three times including catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase, as well as reducing hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation in plant tissue. It was observed the increase in total phenolic compounds and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) in peas treated with SiO2 NPs under drought stress. The physiological response of peas to drought and the effects of SiO2 NPs studied in this experiment based on the use of the concentration of 50 ppm nanoparticles can protect peas from the damaging effects of drought and could help reduce global food shortages.
Highlights
Introduction iationsField peas play an important role in crop rotation due to their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in a symbiotic association with Rhizobium bacteria and fulfill the nitrogen demand of the succeeding crops, as well as can be used for both human food and animal feed.climate change has led to increased heterogeneity of precipitation, ranging from heavy to drought [1], leading to unstable crop yields and seed protein content, contributing to the reduction in field pea cultivation in the world according to Food and Agriculture Organization Statistics (FAOSTAT)
Climate change has led to increased heterogeneity of precipitation, ranging from heavy to drought [1], leading to unstable crop yields and seed protein content, contributing to the reduction in field pea cultivation in the world according to Food and Agriculture Organization Statistics (FAOSTAT)
Effects of Drought Stress and SiO2 NPs on Plants Specific Leaf Area, Relative Water compared with control plants
Summary
Climate change has led to increased heterogeneity of precipitation, ranging from heavy to drought [1], leading to unstable crop yields and seed protein content, contributing to the reduction in field pea cultivation in the world according to Food and Agriculture Organization Statistics (FAOSTAT). Nanoparticle (NPs), according to their unique properties: size, surface charge, shape, and potential interaction with plants could help to reduce the impact of drought [6].
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