Eco-safe potential of FITC-tagged nFeO in enhancing alfalfa-rhizobia symbiosis and salt stress tolerance via physicochemical and ultrastructural modifications
Salt stress severely limits global crop productivity by disrupting ionic balance, physiological processes, and cellular ultrastructure, particularly in salt-sensitive forages like alfalfa (Medicago sativa L). Addressing this issue requires environmentally feasible and innovative strategies. This stu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325004944 |
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| author | Hafiz Abdul Kareem Yongdong Li Sana Saleem Adnan Mustafa Muhammad Azeem Quanzhen Wang Song Li Yi Chen Xihui Shen |
| author_facet | Hafiz Abdul Kareem Yongdong Li Sana Saleem Adnan Mustafa Muhammad Azeem Quanzhen Wang Song Li Yi Chen Xihui Shen |
| author_sort | Hafiz Abdul Kareem |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Salt stress severely limits global crop productivity by disrupting ionic balance, physiological processes, and cellular ultrastructure, particularly in salt-sensitive forages like alfalfa (Medicago sativa L). Addressing this issue requires environmentally feasible and innovative strategies. This study investigated the comparative potential of Nano-FeO and FeSO4 (30 mg kg−1) soil supplements with rhizobium on alfalfa salt tolerance employing morphological, physicochemical, and cellular approaches. The results demonstrated that FITC-nFeO and rhizobium significantly reduced Na+ uptake, enhanced K+ accumulation, and improved the Na+/K+ ratio in alfalfa roots and shoots relative to FeSO4. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated that FITC-nFeO ameliorated root ultracellular structure and leaf stomatal functionality, facilitating improved gaseous exchange characteristics and photosynthetic performance. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed FITC-tagged nFeO adhesion to roots, supported by transmission electron microscopy findings of preserved chloroplast ultrastructure under FITC-nFeO and rhizobium application. FITC-nFeO also mitigated oxidative damage of ROS, as evidenced by reduced hydrogen peroxide, electrolyte leakage, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content, through enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. Overall, in comparison to FeSO4, FITC-nFeO with rhizobium retrieved the salt-induced damages in alfalfa by promoting morpho-physiological and ultracellular integrity. This study highlights the role of nanotechnology in enhancing the resilience of forages on salt-contaminated soils, paving the way for eco-friendly remediation strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4e1a4c9a8a40437bb8d0fcd2ac5726a3 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0147-6513 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
| spelling | doaj-art-4e1a4c9a8a40437bb8d0fcd2ac5726a32025-08-20T02:16:29ZengElsevierEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety0147-65132025-04-0129511815810.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118158Eco-safe potential of FITC-tagged nFeO in enhancing alfalfa-rhizobia symbiosis and salt stress tolerance via physicochemical and ultrastructural modificationsHafiz Abdul Kareem0Yongdong Li1Sana Saleem2Adnan Mustafa3Muhammad Azeem4Quanzhen Wang5Song Li6Yi Chen7Xihui Shen8State Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR ChinaNingbo Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Virus Research, Ningbo 315010, PR ChinaDepartment of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, PR ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, PR ChinaKey Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China; Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab 46300, PakistanCollege of Grassland Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR ChinaState Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR ChinaNingbo Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Virus Research, Ningbo 315010, PR ChinaState Key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China; Corresponding author.Salt stress severely limits global crop productivity by disrupting ionic balance, physiological processes, and cellular ultrastructure, particularly in salt-sensitive forages like alfalfa (Medicago sativa L). Addressing this issue requires environmentally feasible and innovative strategies. This study investigated the comparative potential of Nano-FeO and FeSO4 (30 mg kg−1) soil supplements with rhizobium on alfalfa salt tolerance employing morphological, physicochemical, and cellular approaches. The results demonstrated that FITC-nFeO and rhizobium significantly reduced Na+ uptake, enhanced K+ accumulation, and improved the Na+/K+ ratio in alfalfa roots and shoots relative to FeSO4. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated that FITC-nFeO ameliorated root ultracellular structure and leaf stomatal functionality, facilitating improved gaseous exchange characteristics and photosynthetic performance. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed FITC-tagged nFeO adhesion to roots, supported by transmission electron microscopy findings of preserved chloroplast ultrastructure under FITC-nFeO and rhizobium application. FITC-nFeO also mitigated oxidative damage of ROS, as evidenced by reduced hydrogen peroxide, electrolyte leakage, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content, through enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. Overall, in comparison to FeSO4, FITC-nFeO with rhizobium retrieved the salt-induced damages in alfalfa by promoting morpho-physiological and ultracellular integrity. This study highlights the role of nanotechnology in enhancing the resilience of forages on salt-contaminated soils, paving the way for eco-friendly remediation strategies.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325004944Salt stress mitigationHistochemical staining, Na⁺/K⁺ ratio improvementNanoparticles, Ultrastructural stabilityIonic balance regulation |
| spellingShingle | Hafiz Abdul Kareem Yongdong Li Sana Saleem Adnan Mustafa Muhammad Azeem Quanzhen Wang Song Li Yi Chen Xihui Shen Eco-safe potential of FITC-tagged nFeO in enhancing alfalfa-rhizobia symbiosis and salt stress tolerance via physicochemical and ultrastructural modifications Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Salt stress mitigation Histochemical staining, Na⁺/K⁺ ratio improvement Nanoparticles, Ultrastructural stability Ionic balance regulation |
| title | Eco-safe potential of FITC-tagged nFeO in enhancing alfalfa-rhizobia symbiosis and salt stress tolerance via physicochemical and ultrastructural modifications |
| title_full | Eco-safe potential of FITC-tagged nFeO in enhancing alfalfa-rhizobia symbiosis and salt stress tolerance via physicochemical and ultrastructural modifications |
| title_fullStr | Eco-safe potential of FITC-tagged nFeO in enhancing alfalfa-rhizobia symbiosis and salt stress tolerance via physicochemical and ultrastructural modifications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Eco-safe potential of FITC-tagged nFeO in enhancing alfalfa-rhizobia symbiosis and salt stress tolerance via physicochemical and ultrastructural modifications |
| title_short | Eco-safe potential of FITC-tagged nFeO in enhancing alfalfa-rhizobia symbiosis and salt stress tolerance via physicochemical and ultrastructural modifications |
| title_sort | eco safe potential of fitc tagged nfeo in enhancing alfalfa rhizobia symbiosis and salt stress tolerance via physicochemical and ultrastructural modifications |
| topic | Salt stress mitigation Histochemical staining, Na⁺/K⁺ ratio improvement Nanoparticles, Ultrastructural stability Ionic balance regulation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325004944 |
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