Effects of zinc nanoparticles and proline on growth, physiological and yield characteristics of pea (Pisum sativum L.) irrigated with diluted seawater

Abstract

Using diluted seawater for irrigation presents a potential solution to tackle water scarcity and optimize water usage in regions where there is a shortage of freshwater resources. Therefore, the objective of current study was to assess the efficacy of proline and zinc nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), either alone or in combination, in alleviating adverse impacts of diluted seawater irrigation [2.5% (EC, 1.6) and 5% (EC, 2,3)] on the growth and productivity of pea plants (cv. Master B) during the winter seasons of 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. The results indicated that irrigation with diluted seawater had negative effects on several growth parameters of peas, including plant height, leaf area, plant dry weight, chlorophyll pigment (Ch a, Ch b, and total Ch) content, and seed chemical composition. In contrast, foliar application of ZnO-NPs, proline, or their combination improved plant growth, productivity, oxidative enzyme activities, net photosynthesis, and phenolic compound content under salinity stress. Furthermore, these treatments positively influenced the content of essential nutrients (NPK), vitamin C, carbohydrate percentage, and crude protein in pea seeds. The combination of ZnO-NPs and proline yielded the highest values for most parameters during the experimental seasons. Overall, the interaction between ZnO-NPs and proline showed promise in enhancing pea plant growth and productivity, especially in environments characterized by salt stress.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Pisum sativum L
• ZnO-NPs
• proline
• seawater
• chlorophyll
• antioxidant enzymes
• net photosynthesis

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Manuel Tejada, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

SUBJECTS:

• agriculture & environmental sciences
• soil sciences
• biochemistry

Acknowledgments

We thank the Deanship of Scientific Research, Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia (GrantA006), for supporting this research work.

Authors’ contributions

Conceptualization, H.S.E.-B., K.A.E.-N., M.I.A.-D., A.A.E.-A. and W.F.S.; methodology, M.F.E.-N., A.M.I., W.F.E., A.A.R., and M.M.S.M.; software, K.A.E.-N., M.I.A.-D., W.F.E., and M.M.S.M.; formal analysis, K.A.E.-N., M.I.A.-D., W.F.E., and M.M.S.M.; investigation, H.S.E.-B. and M.F.E.-N.; resources: K.A.E.-N., M.I.A.-D., and M.M.E.-A. and W.F.S. Writing—original draft preparation: M.F.E.-N., A.M.I., W.F.E., A.A.R., and M.M.S.M.; writing—review and editing: H.S.E.-B., K.A.E.-N., M.I.A.-D., M.M.E.-A. and W.F.S.; funding: H.S.E.-B. All authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the research, analysis, and the manuscript. All authors have discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethical approval statement

This study does not involve experiments involving human or animal.

Consent to publish

All the authors consented to the publication of this study.

Consent to participate

All the authors have consented for participation in this submission.

Disclosure statement

Authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research, Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia (Grant A006), for support this research work.

Notes on contributors

Hossam S. El-Beltagi

Hossam S. El-Beltagi is a professor in Agricultural Biotechnology Department, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University his research interest in plant abiotic and biotic stress; plant secondary metabolites and plant biotechnology.

Kholoud Ahmed El-Naqma

Kholoud Ahmed El-Naqma is a PhD holder in Soil & Water and Environment Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center her research interest in plant, water and soil.

Mohammed I. Al-Daej

Mohammed I. Al-Daej is a professor in Agricultural Biotechnology Department, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University his research interest in plant crops abiotic stress and plant biotechnology.

Mohamed Mabrouk El-Afry

Mohamed Mabrouk El-Afry is an associate professor in Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University his research interest in plant abiotic stress and agriculture.

Wael F. Shehata

Wael F. Shehata is an associate professor in Agricultural Biotechnology Department, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University his research interest in plant horticulture crops and plant tissue culture.

Mohamed Fathi El-Nady

Mohamed Fathi El-Nady is a professor in Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University his research interest in plant abiotic stress and agriculture.

Ahmed Mahmoud Ismail

Ahmed Mahmoud Ismail is an associate professor in Arid Land Agriculture Department, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University his research interest in plant biotic stress.

Wafaa Fawzy Eltonoby

Wafaa Fawzy Eltonoby is assistant professor in Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University his research interest in plant abiotic stress and agriculture.

Adel A. Rezk

Adel A. Rezk is a professor in Agricultural Biotechnology Department, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University his research interest in plant biotic stress; plant and plant biotechnology.

Metwaly Mahfouz Salem Metwaly

Metwaly Mahfouz Salem Metwaly is an associate professor in Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University his research interest in plant abiotic stress and agriculture.