title: Silicon nanoparticles (SiNp) alleviate chromium (VI) phytotoxicity in Pisum sativum (L.) seedlings.
abstract: The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of silicon nanoparticles (SiNp) against Cr (VI) phytotoxicity in pea seedlings. Results show that Cr(VI, 100 μM) significantly (P < 0.05) declined growth of pea which was accompanied by the enhanced level of Cr. Additionally, photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters like F(v)/F(m), F(v)/F0 and qP were decreased while NPQ significantly (P < 0.05) increased under Cr(VI) treatment. Superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde (MDA-lipid peroxidation) contents were enhanced by Cr(VI). Activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase were increased by Cr (VI) while activities of catalase, glutathione reductase and dehydroascorbate reductase were inhibited significantly (P < 0.05). Micro and macronutrients also show decreasing trends (except S) under Cr(VI) treatment. However, addition of SiNp together with Cr(VI) protects pea seedlings against Cr(VI) phytotoxicity hence improved growth was noticed. In conclusion, the results of this study show that Cr(VI) causes negative impact on pea seedlings, however; SiNp protects pea seedlings against Cr(VI) phytotoxicity by reducing Cr accumulation and oxidative stress, and up-regulating antioxidant defense system and nutrient elements.
authors: Center of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India. Electronic address: dktripathiau@gmail.com.
authors: Durgesh Kumar
authors: DK
authors: Tripathi
authors: Govt. Ramanuj Pratap Singhdev Post Graduate College, Baikunthpur, Koriya 497335, Chhattisgarh, India. Electronic address: vijaypratap.au@gmail.com.
authors: Vijay Pratap
authors: VP
authors: Singh
authors: Ranjan Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211002, India. Electronic address: profsmprasad@gmail.com.
authors: Sheo Mohan
authors: SM
authors: Prasad
authors: D D Pant Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211002, India. Electronic address: dkchauhanau@yahoo.com.
authors: Devendra Kumar
authors: DK
authors: Chauhan
authors: Center of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India. Electronic address: nkdubeybhu@gmail.com.
authors: Nawal Kishore
authors: NK
authors: Dubey
mesh_terms: D002857:Chromium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D053758:Nanoparticles; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D018532:Pisum sativum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D010788:Photosynthesis; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000378:metabolism; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010860:Pigments, Biological; D002857:Chromium; D012825:Silicon
keywords: Antioxidants; Chlorophyll fluorescence; Chromium (VI) stress; Oxidative stress; SiNp defense; Silicon nanoparticles (SiNp)