Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Application Alleviates Arsenic (As) Toxicity in Soybean Plants by Restricting the Uptake of as and Modulating Key Biochemical Attributes, Antioxidant Enzymes, Ascorbate-Glutathione Cycle and Glyoxalase System

Abstract

Accumulation of arsenic (As) in soils is increasing consistently day-by-day, which has resulted in increased toxicity of this element in various crop plants. Arsenic interferes with several plant metabolic processes at molecular, biochemical and physiological levels, which result in reduced plant productivity. Hence, the introduction of novel ameliorating agents to combat this situation is the need of the hour. The present study was designed to examine the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO–NPs) in As-stressed soybean plants. Various plant growth factors and enzymes were studied at varying concentrations of As and ZnO–NPs. Our results showed that with the application of ZnO–NPs, As concentration declined in both root and shoot of soybean plants. The lengths of shoot and root, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, photochemical yield and other factors declined with an increase in external As level. However, the application of ZnO–NPs to the As-stressed soybean plants resulted in a considerable increase in these factors. Moreover, the enzymes involved in the ascorbate–glutathione cycle including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) showed a significant increase in their activity with the application of ZnO–NPs to the As-stressed plants. Hence, our study confirms the significance of ZnO–NPs in alleviating the toxicity of As in soybean plants.

Biosynthesis and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles Using Ochradenus arabicus and Their Effect on Growth and Antioxidant Systems of Maerua oblongifolia

“…It is known that Zn has the ability to stabilize and protect the biomembranes against peroxidative and oxidative stress, integrity of plasma membrane loss, and change in the permeability of plasma membrane [ 61 ]. Our results at in line with the findings of previous reports in Vicia faba [ 62 ], soybean [ 17 ], and wheat [ 42 ].…”

“…Different examples have been reported for synthesis of ZnO NPs using bio-extracts and their applications in plant species such as fodder maize (Zea mays) [10], Allium cepa [11], and Sesamum indicum [12]. At certain concentrations in plant cell cultures, ZnO NPs are reported to play an essential role in enhancing growth, seed germination, photosynthetic efficiency, chlorophyll content, starch content, and notably secondary metabolites production [13][14][15][16][17].…”

Antioxidative and Metabolic Contribution to Salinity Stress Responses in Two Rapeseed Cultivars during the Early Seedling Stage

“…To determine the enzyme activity, leaf samples were ground using a rapid automatic sample grinding instrument (JXFSTPRP24, Shanghai Jingxin Industrial Development, Shanghai, China), and 0.5 g FW was homogenized in 8 mL of 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (PPB) (pH 7.8) under cooling conditions. This homogenized solution was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 20 min at 4 °C, and a crude enzyme extract was obtained to measure SOD, POD, APX, and CAT according to [ 35 , 36 ].…”

Using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles to Improve the Color and Berry Quality of Table Grapes Cv. Crimson Seedless

“…ZnO NPs modify the effect of auxin by regulating the tryptophan synthesis and influencing fruit quality [ 32 , 33 ]. Additionally, they act as a co-factor to many enzymes’ activity such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) [ 34 , 35 ] and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) [ 36 , 37 ].…”