Magnesium oxide nanoparticles improved vegetative growth and enhanced productivity, biochemical potency and storage stability of harvested mustard seeds

A field study was conducted to investigate the influence of MgO-NPs priming on growth and development of mustard. Priming of mustard seeds before sowing with MgO-NPs at concentration 10, 50, 100, and 150 mu g/ml enhanced the vegetative parameters of plants, with considerable increase in leaf area. MgO-NPs exposure increased the photosynthetic pigment accumulation in mustard that led to increase in biomass, carbohydrate content, and the yield in terms of total grain yield. Increased chlorophyll has simultaneously increased the oxidative stress in plants, and hence stimulated their antioxidant potential. A consistent increase was observed in the content of mustard polyphenols and activity of SOD, CAT, and APX on MgO-NPs exposure. MgO-NPs induced oxidative stress further reduced the protein content and bioavailability in mustard. We further, evaluated the influence of MgO-NPs on the quality of mustard harvested seeds. The seeds harvested from nanoprimed mustard possessed increased antioxidant potential and reduced oxidative stress. The carbohydrate and protein accumulation was significantly enhanced in response to nanopriming. Reduced chlorophyll content in seeds obtained from nanoprimed mustard indicated their potential for disease resistance and stability on long term storage. Therefore, the seeds harvested from MgO-NPs primed mustard were biochemically rich and more stable. Therefore, MgO-NPs priming can be potentially used as a novel strategy for growth promotion in plants where leaves are economically important and a strategy to enhance the seed quality under long term storage conditions.

Automated summary

A field study showed that priming mustard seeds with MgO-NPs enhanced plant growth and development, increasing leaf area, photosynthetic pigment accumulation, biomass, carbohydrate content, and total grain yield. It also stimulated antioxidant potential, polyphenol content, and the activity of SOD, CAT, and APX in mustard plants. However, MgO-NPs exposure reduced protein content and bioavailability. Harvested seeds from nanoprimed mustard showed increased antioxidant potential, reduced oxidative stress, enhanced carbohydrate and protein accumulation, and reduced chlorophyll content, indicating improved disease resistance and long term storage stability.