Seed priming with titanium dioxide nanoparticles enhances seed vigor, leaf water status, and antioxidant enzyme activities in maize (Zea mays L.) under salinity stress

Objectives: Current study illustrates the impact assessment of TiO2 nano-particle seed priming on the overall germination, physiology in maize thriving under salinity stress. Methodology: Seeds of maize cultivar were soaked in 40, 60 and 80 ppm aerated solution of TiO2 nanoparticle for one day and nano-primed seeds were then exposed to salinity stress, i.e., 200 mM NaCl on paper culture system. Results: Results indicated that 60 ppm TiO2 nano-priming treatment effect positively on the rate of germinate and growth of maize seedling under salinity stress. The experiment was carried out in sand as a growth medium with 60 ppm TiO2 priming. Results exhibited that germination percentage, germination energy, seedling vigor index, lengths of root and shoot, fresh and dry weights of seedling, potassium ion (K+) concentration, relative water content (RWC), total phenolic and proline and contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activities were significantly enhanced and mean emergence time (MET), sodium ion (Na+) concentration, membrane electrolyte leakage (MEL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were decreased by TiO2 priming as compared to control under salinity stress. Conclusion: So, nano-priming with TiO2 mitigates the salinity injury in maize and could be a significant alternate strategy to mitigate the deleterious impact of salinity stress in maize. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.

Automated summary

The study showed that 60 ppm TiO2 nano-priming had a positive effect on the germination and growth of maize seedlings under salinity stress by enhancing multiple growth parameters and antioxidant activities.