Silica nanoparticles as a waste product to alleviate the harmful effects of water stress in wheat

Abstract

Drought is a threat to food security and agricultural sustainability in arid and semi-arid countries. Using wasted silica nanoparticles could minimize water scarcity. A controlled study investigated wheat plant physiological and morphological growth under tap-water irrigation (80–100, 60–80, and 40–60% field capacity). The benefits of S1: 0%, S2: 5%, and S3: 10% nanoparticle silica soil additions were studied. Our research reveals that water stress damages the physiological and functional growth of wheat plants. Plant height decreased by 8.9%, grain yield by 5.4%, and biological yield by 19.2%. These effects were observed when plants were irrigated to 40–60% field capacity vs. control. In plants under substantial water stress (40–60% of field capacity), chlorophyll a (8.04 mg g⁻¹), b (1.5 mg g⁻¹), total chlorophyll (9.55 mg g⁻¹), carotenoids (2.44 mg g⁻¹), and relative water content (54%), Electrolyte leakage (59%), total soluble sugar (1.79 mg g⁻¹ fw), and proline (80.3 mol g⁻¹) were highest. Plants cultivated with silica nanoparticles exhibit better morphological and physiological growth than controls. The largest effect came from maximum silica nanoparticle loading. Silica nanoparticles may increase drought-stressed plant growth and production.

NOVELTY STATEMENT

This study investigates the impact of silica nanoparticles on the development of wheat plants experiencing water stress. Silica nanoparticles are essential for stimulating biochemical defenses against water stress, although research is limited. In stressed wheat plants, silica nanoparticles as a soil supplement increased biological and grain yield. Wheat grown under drought conditions will benefit from this study.

Keywords:

• Mitigation
• silica
• water stress

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The Scientific Research and Innovation Support Fund awarded financing for the scientific project “Utilization of silica nanoparticles for enhancing wheat plant productivity under water and saline stress condition” (Project Number: AGR/1/17/2019).