Chitosan-GSNO nanoparticles: a positive modulator of drought stress tolerance in soybean

• Published in: BMC plant biology 2023-12, Vol.23 (1), p.639-639, Article 639
• Main Authors: Methela, Nusrat Jahan, Pande, Anjali, Islam, Mohammad Shafiqul, Rahim, Waqas, Hussain, Adil, Lee, Da-Sol, Mun, Bong-Gyu, Maria Joseph Raj, Nirmal Prashanth, Kim, Sang-Jae, Kim, Yoonha, Yun, Byung-Wook
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Antioxidants; ascorbate peroxidase; Ascorbic acid; biodegradability; Biodegradation; biomass; Biopolymers; Catalase; Chemical properties; Chitin; Chitosan; Drought; Drought resistance; drought tolerance; Droughts; Electrolyte leakage; elicitors; Environmental aspects; Genes; Glycine max; Growth; growth and development; GSNO; Hydrogen peroxide; Influence; Investigations; L-Ascorbate peroxidase; Leaves; Lipid peroxidation; Lipids; Morphology; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Nitric oxide; Nodules; Peroxidase; Physiology; Plant growth; plant height; Plant physiology; Proline; Properties; quantitative polymerase chain reaction; Scanning electron microscopy; South Korea; Soybean; Soybeans; Spectrum analysis; surface area; Water shortages; water stress
• ISSN: 1471-2229; 1471-2229
• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04640-x

Chitosan biopolymer is an emerging non-toxic and biodegradable plant elicitor or bio-stimulant. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have been used for the enhancement of plant growth and development. On the other hand, NO is an important signaling molecule that regulates several aspects of plant physiology under normal and stress conditions. Here we report the synthesis, characterization, and use of chitosan-GSNO nanoparticles for improving drought stress tolerance in soybean. The CSGSNONPs released NO gas for a significantly longer period and at a much lower rate as compared to free GSNO indicating that incorporation of GSNO in CSNPs can protect the NO-donor from rapid decomposition and ensure optimal NO release. CS-GSNONPs improved drought tolerance in soybean plants reflected by a significant increase in plant height, biomass, root length, root volume, root surface area, number of root tips, forks, and nodules. Further analyses indicated significantly lower electrolyte leakage, higher proline content, higher catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase activity, and reduction in MDA and H O contents after treatment with 50 μM CS-GSNONPs under drought stress conditions. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that CS-GSNONPs protected against drought-induced stress by regulating the expression of drought stress-related marker genes such as GmDREB1a, GmP5CS, GmDEFENSIN, and NO-related genes GmGSNOR1 and GmNOX1. This study highlights the potential of nano-technology-based delivery systems for nitric oxide donors to improve plant growth, and development and protect against stresses.