Improving seed germination and physiological characteristics of maize seedlings under osmotic stress through potassium nano-silicate treatment

IntroductionOsmotic stress can significantly affect the survival and functioning of living organisms, particularly during vulnerable stages such as seed germination and seedling growth. To address this issue, advanced technologies like nanofertilizers have been developed to improve soil conditions a...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Weria Weisany, Javad Razmi, Danial Pashang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1274396/full
_version_ 1827578409957457920
author Weria Weisany
Javad Razmi
Danial Pashang
author_facet Weria Weisany
Javad Razmi
Danial Pashang
author_sort Weria Weisany
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionOsmotic stress can significantly affect the survival and functioning of living organisms, particularly during vulnerable stages such as seed germination and seedling growth. To address this issue, advanced technologies like nanofertilizers have been developed to improve soil conditions and enhance plant growth in stressed ecosystems due to their multiple effects and efficient consumption.MethodsThe objective of this study was to investigate the impact of potassium nano-silicate (PNS) on the physiological characteristics of maize seedlings and seed germination under various levels of osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG). The study considered two factors: two levels of PNS concentration (500 and 1000 ppm) and PEG-6000 solution with different osmotic stress levels (-2, -4, -6, and -8 bars).Results and discussionThe results demonstrated that the application of PNS at a concentration of 1000 ppm led to increased radicle length and hypocotyl length as well as fresh weight of maize seedlings. Furthermore, PNS at a concentration of 1000 ppm had a more beneficial effect on the germination rate of maize seedlings under osmotic stress compared to 500 ppm. Additionally, the application of PNS under osmotic stress conditions resulted in an increase in various physiological parameters, including protein content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll content, proline content, and the activity of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (AXPO) enzymes. These findings indicate that the use of PNS can have a positive impact on the physiological characteristics of maize seedlings and seed germination under osmotic stress conditions. Overall, this technology has the potential to enhance crop growth and yield in stressed ecosystems. By improving the survival and function of plants during vulnerable stages, such as seed germination and seedling growth, the application of PNS can contribute to more resilient agricultural practices and promote sustainable food production in challenging environments.
first_indexed 2024-03-08T21:46:09Z
format Article
id doaj.art-8afd7665cce649e6a68e908dadc19c8a
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1664-462X
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-08T21:46:09Z
publishDate 2023-12-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Plant Science
spelling doaj.art-8afd7665cce649e6a68e908dadc19c8a2023-12-20T08:32:59ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2023-12-011410.3389/fpls.2023.12743961274396Improving seed germination and physiological characteristics of maize seedlings under osmotic stress through potassium nano-silicate treatmentWeria Weisany0Javad Razmi1Danial Pashang2Department of Agriculture and Food Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Plant Protection, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Agriculture and Food Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranIntroductionOsmotic stress can significantly affect the survival and functioning of living organisms, particularly during vulnerable stages such as seed germination and seedling growth. To address this issue, advanced technologies like nanofertilizers have been developed to improve soil conditions and enhance plant growth in stressed ecosystems due to their multiple effects and efficient consumption.MethodsThe objective of this study was to investigate the impact of potassium nano-silicate (PNS) on the physiological characteristics of maize seedlings and seed germination under various levels of osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG). The study considered two factors: two levels of PNS concentration (500 and 1000 ppm) and PEG-6000 solution with different osmotic stress levels (-2, -4, -6, and -8 bars).Results and discussionThe results demonstrated that the application of PNS at a concentration of 1000 ppm led to increased radicle length and hypocotyl length as well as fresh weight of maize seedlings. Furthermore, PNS at a concentration of 1000 ppm had a more beneficial effect on the germination rate of maize seedlings under osmotic stress compared to 500 ppm. Additionally, the application of PNS under osmotic stress conditions resulted in an increase in various physiological parameters, including protein content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll content, proline content, and the activity of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (AXPO) enzymes. These findings indicate that the use of PNS can have a positive impact on the physiological characteristics of maize seedlings and seed germination under osmotic stress conditions. Overall, this technology has the potential to enhance crop growth and yield in stressed ecosystems. By improving the survival and function of plants during vulnerable stages, such as seed germination and seedling growth, the application of PNS can contribute to more resilient agricultural practices and promote sustainable food production in challenging environments.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1274396/fullosmotic potentialpotassium nano-silicateseed germinationmaizenanotecehnology
spellingShingle Weria Weisany
Javad Razmi
Danial Pashang
Improving seed germination and physiological characteristics of maize seedlings under osmotic stress through potassium nano-silicate treatment
Frontiers in Plant Science
osmotic potential
potassium nano-silicate
seed germination
maize
nanotecehnology
title Improving seed germination and physiological characteristics of maize seedlings under osmotic stress through potassium nano-silicate treatment
title_full Improving seed germination and physiological characteristics of maize seedlings under osmotic stress through potassium nano-silicate treatment
title_fullStr Improving seed germination and physiological characteristics of maize seedlings under osmotic stress through potassium nano-silicate treatment
title_full_unstemmed Improving seed germination and physiological characteristics of maize seedlings under osmotic stress through potassium nano-silicate treatment
title_short Improving seed germination and physiological characteristics of maize seedlings under osmotic stress through potassium nano-silicate treatment
title_sort improving seed germination and physiological characteristics of maize seedlings under osmotic stress through potassium nano silicate treatment
topic osmotic potential
potassium nano-silicate
seed germination
maize
nanotecehnology
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1274396/full
work_keys_str_mv AT weriaweisany improvingseedgerminationandphysiologicalcharacteristicsofmaizeseedlingsunderosmoticstressthroughpotassiumnanosilicatetreatment
AT javadrazmi improvingseedgerminationandphysiologicalcharacteristicsofmaizeseedlingsunderosmoticstressthroughpotassiumnanosilicatetreatment
AT danialpashang improvingseedgerminationandphysiologicalcharacteristicsofmaizeseedlingsunderosmoticstressthroughpotassiumnanosilicatetreatment