Influence of seed priming with ZnO nanoparticles on the salt-induced damages in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants

Salinity is a worldwide issue of intimidating land productivity and the production of food. Seed priming can be an effective approach to enhance the performance of seedlings growing in salinity stressed conditions. The present investigation examined whether the ZnO-nano priming (ZnONPs; 50, 100 and 500 mg L-1) has a role in the alleviation of the salt-induced toxicity of Triticum aestivum L. plants grown under 150 mM NaCl. Treatment with all concentrations of ZnONPs significantly improved wheat growth biomarkers. Furthermore, salt-induced alterations of growth, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic efficiency, and leaf ultrastructure were lesser upon ZnO-nano priming. Besides, ZnO-nano priming induced various changes in electrophoretic profiles of shoot proteins.

Automated summary

ZnO-nano priming significantly improved wheat growth biomarkers under salt-induced stress conditions, alleviating salt-induced toxicity and reducing alterations in growth, photosynthetic efficiency, leaf structure, and shoot protein profiles.