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Nano‐silicon dioxide mitigates the adverse effects of salt stress on Cucurbita pepo L
Author(s) -
Siddiqui Manzer H.,
AlWhaibi Mohamed H.,
Faisal Mohammad,
Al Sahli Abdulaziz A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.2697
Subject(s) - germination , cucurbita pepo , glutathione reductase , catalase , chemistry , superoxide dismutase , chlorophyll , horticulture , stomatal conductance , peroxidase , proline , antioxidant , shoot , transpiration , photosynthesis , botany , food science , biology , glutathione peroxidase , biochemistry , enzyme , amino acid
Research into nanotechnology, an emerging science, has advanced in almost all fields of technology. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of nano‐silicon dioxide (nano‐SiO 2 ) in plant resistance to salt stress through improvement of the antioxidant system of squash ( Cucurbita pepo L. cv. white bush marrow). Seeds treated with NaCl showed reduced germination percentage, vigor, length, and fresh and dry weights of the roots and shoots. However, nano‐SiO 2 improved seed germination and growth characteristics by reducing malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels as well as electrolyte leakage. In addition, application of nano‐SiO 2 reduced chlorophyll degradation and enhanced the net photosynthetic rate ( P n ), stomatal conductance ( g s ), transpiration rate, and water use efficiency. The increase in plant germination and growth characteristics through application of nano‐SiO 2 might reflect a reduction in oxidative damage as a result of the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase. These results indicate that nano‐SiO 2 may improve defense mechanisms of plants against salt stress toxicity by augmenting the P n , g s , transpiration rate, water use efficiency, total chlorophyll, proline, and carbonic anhydrase activity in the leaves of plants. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:2429–2437 . © 2014 SETAC