Work

Nano-Fe₃O₄ enhances salt–alkali tolerance of melon seedlings via inhibition of CmBHLH93 and activation of ABA/JA signaling, antioxidant defense, and maintenance of Na+/K+ homeostasis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Soil salinization and alkalinization threaten plant growth worldwide. In response, plants deploy various physiological and molecular defense mechanisms. Nanobiotechnology offers a potential strategy to enhance crop stress tolerance. Here, we found that nano-Fe₃O₄ increased salt–alkali tolerance in melon seedlings by suppressing the expression of the transcription factor CmBHLH93. Transcriptomic analysis revealed strong downregulation of CmBHLH93 upon nano-Fe₃O₄ application under salt–alkali stress. Functional assays showed that CmBHLH93 acted as a negative regulator of salt tolerance. It directly bound the promoters of key defense-related genes involved in abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis (CmNCED3), jasmonic acid (JA) synthesis (CmAOS), antioxidant activity (CmPOD-1), and Na+ transport (CmSOS1), thereby repressing their transcription. Taken together, nano-Fe₃O₄ enhanced melon salt tolerance by downregulating CmBHLH93 transcription and activating downstream responses associated with ABA/JA signaling, antioxidant capacity, and Na+/K+ homeostasis. These results define a regulatory mechanism through which nanomaterials modulate plant tolerance to salt–alkali stress and provide a conceptual basis for improving crop stress tolerance using nanotechnology.

Source: Horticulture Research

DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhag229

Authors: Zhanming Tan, Lvjun Cui, Yuquan Peng, Qi Li, Zhilong Bie

Institutions: Huazhong Agricultural University, Tarim University, Yangtze 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: $2,960