Work

Synergistic combined effects of silicon nanoparticle-water solution activated by cold plasma under salinity stress on wheat germination parameters and seedling growth

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Salinity is one of the most limiting abiotic stresses affecting seed germination and early seedling establishment, primarily through osmotic and ionic disturbances that reduce water uptake, metabolic activity, and overall vigor. In this study, the combined effects of nanoparticle–water solutions activated by cold plasma were evaluated as seed-priming treatments to mitigate salinity–induced damage. Analysis of variance revealed that these priming combinations significantly influenced dry weight (DW), germination percentage (GP), mean daily germination (MDG), daily germination speed (DGS), and seed vigor index (SVI). The results demonstrate that specific combinations of nanoparticle concentrations and plasma activation durations can substantially enhance germination performance and early vigor under salinity stress. Maximum GP (90%) and MDG (11.25%/24 h) were recorded under salinity 0 ppm with 100 ppm silica nanoparticles and 0 min/mL plasma, as well as under salinity 2000 ppm with 100 ppm silica nanoparticles and 0 min/mL plasma. Among the treatments, salinity 3000 ppm with 150 ppm silica nanoparticles and 0.15 min/mL plasma produced the highest DW (0.247 g). The lowest DGS values (indicating the highest germination speed) were recorded for treatments with 2000 ppm salinity, 150 ppm SiNPs, and 0.1 min/mL plasma, which corresponded to the highest MDG values. The highest SVI (15.02) was observed under salinity 3000 ppm with 0 ppm silica nanoparticles and 0.05 min/mL plasma. These treatments consistently produced the strongest synergistic improvements across multiple germination indices, highlighting its potential as practical and efficient priming strategies. These findings emphasize the importance of optimizing priming conditions to improve seed establishment in saline environments and suggest that plasma–activated nanoparticle solutions offer a promising, sustainable approach for enhancing early growth under stress.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-70085-5

Authors: Alireza Seifi-Khajeh Marjan, Ahad Asghari, Mohammad Kouhi, Ebrahim Khalilvand Behrouzyar, Alireza Ahangarzadeh Maralani

Institution: Islamic Azad University of Tabriz

Language: English

Topic: Silicon Effects in Agriculture

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690