The Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Drought Stress in Moringa peregrina Populations

Abstract

Introduction: Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori, is a nutritionally and medicinally important desert tree, which is constantly exposed to drought stress. This study was accomplished to alleviate the adverse effects of drought stress on M. peregrina populations through the foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) by monitoring some physiological and biochemical alterations. Methods: Moringa peregrina seeds were collected from the Southeast of Iran in 2014. Fourteen days after germination, the seedlings were subjected to drought stress by withholding watering until 50% field capacity (FC), followed by spraying 0.1% and 0.05% ZnO-NPs and no spraying (as control). Results: The changes of sodium (Na), potassium (K), chlorophylls, total phenolic content (TPC) as well as antioxidant activity under drought stress condition varied based on M. peregrina populations. Drought stress significantly reduced chlorophylls content, while it enhanced TPC and antioxidant activity. ZnO-NPs treatment significantly inhibited chlorophylls degradation under drought stress conditions. It also enhanced chlorophyll content in well-watered plants. Moreover, it was revealed that TPC and antioxidant activity of M. peregrina populations significantly increased in response to foliar application of ZnO-NPs in both drought-stressed and unstressed plants. Conclusion: Our results suggested that ZnO-NPs spray can augment drought tolerance of different populations of M. peregrina subjected to water deficit condition.

Harnessing nanobiotechnology for drought stress: transforming agriculture's future; what, why and how?

“…102 In 14-day-old Moringa peregrine seedlings, 0.1% and 0.05% ZnO-NP foliar sprays increased drought resistance by drastically reducing chlorophyll breakdown and increasing phenolic content and antioxidant potential. 162 Chitosan NPs 1% foliar treatment of 45-day-old Catharanthus roseus seedlings reduced dehydration by initiating alkaloid biosynthesis gene expression, improving antioxidant activities such as APX, CAT, and proline, and decreasing H 2 O 2 and MDA contents. 143 Maize crops primed with Cu-NPs showed higher chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin levels and lower ROS levels, resulting in higher grain production.…”

Nano‐enabled stress‐smart agriculture: Can nanotechnology deliver drought and salinity‐smart crops?

“…Foliar spray of 0.1% and 0.05% ZnO-NPs on 14-day-old Moringa peregrine seedlings augmented drought tolerance by significantly decreasing Chl degradation and enhancing antioxidant activities and phenolic contents (Foroutan et al, 2019). A 1% chitosan NPs (CS- Moreover, soil application of TiO 2 -NPs stimulated drought tolerance in wheat by improving fresh and dry weights, root and shoot lengths, osmolyte content, membrane stability and total Chl (Mustafa et al, 2021).…”

“…Soil amended with ZnO‐NPs at different concentrations (1, 3 and 5 mg kg –1 Zn) alleviated drought effects in sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L.) and enhanced grain yield (22%–183%) and the gain of essential nutrients like potassium (16%–30%), nitrogen and zinc (94%) in grain (Dimkpa et al, 2019). Foliar spray of 0.1% and 0.05% ZnO‐NPs on 14‐day‐old Moringa peregrine seedlings augmented drought tolerance by significantly decreasing Chl degradation and enhancing antioxidant activities and phenolic contents (Foroutan et al, 2019). A 1% chitosan NPs (CS‐NPs) foliar treatment to 45‐day‐old cape periwinkle ( Catharanthus roseus ) seedlings mitigated drought effects by inducing gene expression of alkaloid biosynthesis, enhancing proline accumulation and antioxidant activities such as CAT and APX, and reducing MDA and H 2 O 2 contents (Ali et al, 2021).…”

تأثير جسيمات النانو من السيليكون على مكونات الفوتوكيمياء (النشاط البيولوجي) والخصائص الفسيولوجية لنبات الكزبرة تحت ضغط الماء

“…Between the abiotic stresses, drought is a main reason affecting the growing and production of crops worldwide (Sharma and Zheng, 2019). The energy balance in plant is regulated by photosynthetic pigments and hence they are involved in Moringa peregrine plant at the adaptation of plants and their survival under drought stress (Foroutan et al, 2019). Drought stress slowed the development of cotton plants before limiting photosynthesis i (Wang et al, 2016).…”