The effect of the application of nanoparticles of analcite to soil on drought
resistance of wheat was observed by Zaimenko et al. (2014). Application of
analcite showed enhanced seed germination, seedling growth, as well as content
of photosynthetic pigments, while characteristics of water balance less deviated
from the normal under water deficit. Moreover, application of analcite
nanoparticles induced sharp accumulation of protective antioxidants, e.g., flavonoids and carotenoids, under drought. In another study, Taran et al. (2017) reported
that colloidal solution of copper and zinc nanoparticles decreased the negative
effect of drought stress on wheat. In particular, increased activity of antioxidative
enzymes reduced the level of accumulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and stabilized the content of photosynthetic pigments and increased relative water content in leaves.
5.5.2 Salinity
It is well known that salinity has been considered as a major environmental threat
for wheat cultivation. More than 45 million hectares of irrigated land which
account to 20% of total land have been damaged by salt worldwide, and 1.5 million
hectares are taken out of production every year due to high salinity levels (Negrão
et al. 2017; Munns and Tester 2008). Poor germination and poor seedling establishment are the results of soil salinity, which adversely affects plant growth and
development and results in to low agricultural production (Miransari and Smith
2007). The effects of salinity at seedling stage of wheat range from reduction in
germination percentage and fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots to the uptake
of various nutrient ions (Darko et al. 2017; Yang et al. 2014). Salt stress decreases
the growth, mineral nutrients, grain yield, chlorophyll content, and gas exchange
characteristics in wheat (Rahman et al. 2016). However, application of
nanoparticles provided elevated levels of plant growth and improved performance
of wheat under salinity stress (Table 5.3). Mohamed et al. (2017) showed that seed
priming with silver nanoparticles alleviates the salt stress in wheat by decreasing
the oxidative stress through modification of antioxidant enzyme activities
depending upon the doses of silver nanoparticle applied. Priming with a lower
concentration of silver nanoparticles might be an effective strategy to alleviate the
negative effect of salt stress on wheat. Seed priming with silver nanoparticles
having 15–29 nm size enhanced the shoot fresh and dry weight of normal and saltstressed plants. Seed priming with nanoparticles may help the wheat plants to
reduce sodium translocation from roots to shoots which ultimately led to increase
in plant growth. Moreover, the combined application of silver nanoparticle and salt
stress increased the soluble sugars and proline contents, while it decreased catalase
activity and increased peroxidase activity.
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P. L. Kashyap et al.
resistance of wheat was observed by Zaimenko et al. (2014). Application of
analcite showed enhanced seed germination, seedling growth, as well as content
of photosynthetic pigments, while characteristics of water balance less deviated
from the normal under water deficit. Moreover, application of analcite
nanoparticles induced sharp accumulation of protective antioxidants, e.g., flavonoids and carotenoids, under drought. In another study, Taran et al. (2017) reported
that colloidal solution of copper and zinc nanoparticles decreased the negative
effect of drought stress on wheat. In particular, increased activity of antioxidative
enzymes reduced the level of accumulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and stabilized the content of photosynthetic pigments and increased relative water content in leaves.
5.5.2 Salinity
It is well known that salinity has been considered as a major environmental threat
for wheat cultivation. More than 45 million hectares of irrigated land which
account to 20% of total land have been damaged by salt worldwide, and 1.5 million
hectares are taken out of production every year due to high salinity levels (Negrão
et al. 2017; Munns and Tester 2008). Poor germination and poor seedling establishment are the results of soil salinity, which adversely affects plant growth and
development and results in to low agricultural production (Miransari and Smith
2007). The effects of salinity at seedling stage of wheat range from reduction in
germination percentage and fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots to the uptake
of various nutrient ions (Darko et al. 2017; Yang et al. 2014). Salt stress decreases
the growth, mineral nutrients, grain yield, chlorophyll content, and gas exchange
characteristics in wheat (Rahman et al. 2016). However, application of
nanoparticles provided elevated levels of plant growth and improved performance
of wheat under salinity stress (Table 5.3). Mohamed et al. (2017) showed that seed
priming with silver nanoparticles alleviates the salt stress in wheat by decreasing
the oxidative stress through modification of antioxidant enzyme activities
depending upon the doses of silver nanoparticle applied. Priming with a lower
concentration of silver nanoparticles might be an effective strategy to alleviate the
negative effect of salt stress on wheat. Seed priming with silver nanoparticles
having 15–29 nm size enhanced the shoot fresh and dry weight of normal and saltstressed plants. Seed priming with nanoparticles may help the wheat plants to
reduce sodium translocation from roots to shoots which ultimately led to increase
in plant growth. Moreover, the combined application of silver nanoparticle and salt
stress increased the soluble sugars and proline contents, while it decreased catalase
activity and increased peroxidase activity.
180
P. L. Kashyap et al.