Silicon oxide nanoparticle mitigated the vanadium toxicity in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

• Published in: South African journal of botany 2024-07, Vol.170, p.348-357
• Main Authors: Altaf, Muhammad Mohsin, Ashraf, Sahrish, Khan, Muhammad Qaisar Naeem, Noreen, Sibgha, Anwar, Muhammad, Almeer, Rafa, Singh, Rattandeep, Rehman, Atique ur
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antioxidant; Nanoparticles; Photosynthesis; Silicon oxide; Vanadium stress
• ISSN: 0254-6299
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2024.05.038

Vanadium (V) buildup in soil has raised severe global concerns about food safety and environmental contamination. In recent years, development of nanotechnology has exhibited tremendous potential in enhancing crop quality and yield by reclamation of soils contaminated with heavy metals (HMs). In this study, we investigated the potential of silicone oxide nanoparticles (SiONPs) to mitigate V stress in cucumber plants through the regulation of cellular oxidative repair processes. A greenhouse experiment finding demonstrated that SiONPs supplementation at 150 mg kg−1 considerably increased cucumber plant growth characteristics, such as fresh weight (21.62 %) and dry weight (23.67 %), compared to the V-treated plants. SiONPs supplementation improved photosynthesis and leaf gas exchange metrics, indicating increased photosynthetic efficiency. Furthermore, the supplementation of 150 mg kg−1 SiONPs resulted in heightened levels of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (17.13 %), catalase (45.94 %) ascorbate peroxidase (32.24 %), and peroxidase (61.25 %), which potentially serve a critical function in the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the mitigation of oxidative stress induced by V. The application of SiONPs altered the expressions of genes associated with stress and antioxidant defense as well as significantly inhibited the V deposition in plants. In conclusion, results demonstrated that SiONPs possess considerable promise as a sustainable, ecologically friendly, and non-toxic substitute for mitigating V toxicity in cucumber plants. [Display omitted] •Vanadium (V) stress inhibited the cucumber growth.•Silicon oxide nanoparticles (SiONPs) supplementation reduces V-accumulation and improve plant growth.•SiONPs improves root growth and photosynthesis efficiency under V stress.•SiONPs restricts V-aided oxidative stress and activates the plant defense system.