Investigating the effect of foliar application of chitosan nanoparticles on photosynthetic pigments and some enzymatic antioxidants

Subject Areas : Plant physiology

Seyedeh Nasrin Veqhar Mooavi ¹ , Sara Saadatmand ² , rashid jamei ³ , رضا درویش زاده ⁴

1 - Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran
2 - Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 -
4 - دانشگاه ارومیه

Received: 2024-09-27 Accepted : 2024-11-04 Published : 2025-01-07

Keywords: Antioxidants, Foliar application, sustainable agriculture, chitosan, nanoparticles,

Abstract :

This study evaluated the physiological responses of corn seedlings following the foliar application of chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs). The CSNPs-mediated changes in enzymatic antioxidants and photosynthetic pigments were investigated. Ten-day-old corn seedlings were sprayed with CSNPs at concentrations of 0 (control), 50 and 100 mg/L for five consecutive days. Foliar application of CSNPs at both concentrations significantly increased leaf fresh weight compared to the control group. A significant increase in the root fresh weight also resulted from the foliar application of CSNPs. Foliar spraying with CSNPs was associated with a significant increase in the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, including chlorophylls (Chl a and Chl b), and carotenoids. Compared to the control group, the foliar utilization of CSNPs led to a significant stimulation in catalase activity. The activity of the polyphenol oxidase enzyme had an upward trend in response to the application of CSNPs. The activity of the superoxide dismutase enzyme also showed a significant increase due to the use of CSNPs compared to the control. In a similar trend, CSNPs had a stimulating effect on glutathione reductase enzyme activity compared to the control group. According to the results of this research, the foliar application of CSNPs is significantly associated with an increase in photosynthetic pigments and induction in enzymatic antioxidants, thereby improving plant growth and resistance to stresses.

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