The Effect of Silicon–Melatonin Nanoparticles on Improving Germination Parameters and Reducing Salinity Toxicity by Maintaining Ion Homeostasis in <i>Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</i> L. Seedlings
The salinity of water and soil is a constraint that has an extreme effect on germination and the establishment of crops. Therefore, it is pivotal to boost crop salt tolerance in global semi-arid regions. By mixing Si in an ME medium, a new complex of nanoparticles (Si-CTS-HPC-ME NPs) was synthesized...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/427 |
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| Summary: | The salinity of water and soil is a constraint that has an extreme effect on germination and the establishment of crops. Therefore, it is pivotal to boost crop salt tolerance in global semi-arid regions. By mixing Si in an ME medium, a new complex of nanoparticles (Si-CTS-HPC-ME NPs) was synthesized, and we investigated the role of Si-CTS-HPC-ME NPs on <i>Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</i> germination and tolerance against salinity stress. Thus, this study examined the influence of Si-CTS-HPC-ME NPs at different concentrations (N<sub>1</sub>: 0, N<sub>2</sub>: 40 and N<sub>3</sub>: 80 mg L<sup>−1</sup>) on some germination and seedling growth parameters and the ion homeostasis of <i>Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</i> L. (cluster bean) seedlings under three salinity levels (S<sub>1</sub>: 0, S<sub>2</sub>: 6 and S<sub>3</sub>: 12 dS m<sup>−1</sup>). With increasing salinity, the energy of germination (GE), index of germination (GI), index of vitality (VI), seedling vigor index (SVI), fresh weight (SFW) and dry (SDW) weight of seedlings, plumule length (PL), and radicle length (RL) parameters gradually decreased, while the mean germination time (MGT) and coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG) increased in salt-stressed cluster bean seedlings in comparison to the control. However, the usage of Si-CTS-HPC-ME NPs was effective in enhancing cluster bean tolerance to salinity by enhancing total phenols and flavonoids and improving K<sup>+</sup>, Si, and Ca<sup>2+</sup> uptake, thus reducing lipid peroxidation, decreasing sodium ion uptake and potassium leakage, and promoting germination parameters compared with non-NP-treated seedlings. Meanwhile, 40 mg L<sup>−1</sup> Si-CTS-HPC-ME NPs exhibited an effective response in saline conditions compared with the other NP treatments. Consequently, the application of Si-CTS-HPC-ME NPs in salt-stressed cluster bean seedlings can serve as an effective technique to enhance salinity tolerance in saline conditions under arid and semi-arid climatic conditions. |
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| ISSN: | 2073-4395 |