Work

The effect of Zn NPs on some growth, biochemical and anatomical factors of chickpea plant stem under UVB irradiation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study explored the role of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in mitigating UV-B radiation effects on chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) plants. Chickpea plants were grown hydroponically for 45 days and exposed to UV-B radiation for 30 minutes daily over 15 days after reaching the six-leaf stage. ZnO NPs were applied at 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L before UV-B exposure. UV-B reduced root length (40 %), shoot fresh weight (17 %), shoot dry weight (15 %), stem thickness (39 %), and pith parenchyma thickness (5 %), while increasing root fresh weight (59 %), root dry weight (12 %), total phenolic content (TPC, 185.77 %), total flavonoid content (TFC, 94.44 %), and DPPH free radical scavenging activity (31.94 %). ZnO NPs (50 mg/L and 100 mg/L) increased root length (15 % and 25 %), shoot length (21 % and 12 %), shoot fresh weight (56 % and 63 %), and shoot dry weight (40 % and 79 %), respectively. TPC increased by 8 % with 50 mg/L ZnO NPs, while TFC rose by 30 % with 100 mg/L ZnO NPs. DPPH activity improved by 15.78 % and 3.59 % at 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L ZnO NPs, respectively. Stem thickness increased by 12 % and 31 %, and pith thickness by 18 % with 50 mg/L ZnO NPs. UV-B reduced sclerenchyma, xylem, and epidermal cell thickness but increased xylem cell length and pith parenchyma, xylem, and epidermal cell width. Application of 100 mg/L ZnO NPs enhanced xylem thickness, phloem vessel thickness, vascular tissue thickness, and collenchyma tissue thickness. Overall, ZnO NPs demonstrated significant potential in alleviating UV-B-induced damage and improving chickpea plant growth and anatomical integrity. • UVB led to decrease in chickpea shoot and root length, shoot fresh and dry weight. • UVB decreased the thickness of sclerenchyma, xylem, and length of epidermal cells. • UVB increased length of xylem cells and the width of pith parenchyma. • ZnO NPs led to the improvement of shoot growth factors in chickpea plants.

Source: Plant Nano Biology

DOI: 10.1016/j.plana.2025.100154

Authors: Samira Safshekan, Latifeh Pourakbar, Fatemeh Rahmani

Institution: Urmia University

Language: English

Topic: Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,380