title: Nano-silicon dioxide mitigates the adverse effects of salt stress on Cucurbita pepo L.
abstract: Research into nanotechnology, an emerging science, has advanced in almost all fields of technology. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of nano-silicon dioxide (nano-SiO2 ) in plant resistance to salt stress through improvement of the antioxidant system of squash (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. white bush marrow). Seeds treated with NaCl showed reduced germination percentage, vigor, length, and fresh and dry weights of the roots and shoots. However, nano-SiO2 improved seed germination and growth characteristics by reducing malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels as well as electrolyte leakage. In addition, application of nano-SiO2 reduced chlorophyll degradation and enhanced the net photosynthetic rate (Pn ), stomatal conductance (gs ), transpiration rate, and water use efficiency. The increase in plant germination and growth characteristics through application of nano-SiO2 might reflect a reduction in oxidative damage as a result of the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase. These results indicate that nano-SiO2 may improve defense mechanisms of plants against salt stress toxicity by augmenting the Pn , gs , transpiration rate, water use efficiency, total chlorophyll, proline, and carbonic anhydrase activity in the leaves of plants.
authors: Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Manzer H
authors: MH
authors: Siddiqui
authors: Mohamed H
authors: MH
authors: Al-Whaibi
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Faisal
authors: Abdulaziz A
authors: AA
authors: Al Sahli
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D060387:Ascorbate Peroxidases / Q000737:chemistry; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D028464:Cucurbita / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects; D054712:Salinity; D012639:Seeds / Q000378:metabolism; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014867:Water; D002734:Chlorophyll; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D010544:Peroxidases; D060387:Ascorbate Peroxidases; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Cucurbita pepo; Nanoparticles; Plant toxicology; Soil toxicology; Stress response