Effect of iron nanoparticles and conventional sources of Fe on growth, physiology and nutrient accumulation in wheat plants grown on normal and salt-affected soils

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2023-09, Vol.458, p.131861-131861, Article 131861
• Main Authors: Zia-ur-Rehman, Muhammad, Mfarrej, Manar Fawzi Bani, Usman, Muhammad, Anayatullah, Sidra, Rizwan, Muhammad, Alharby, Hesham F., Abu Zeid, Isam M., Alabdallah, Nadiyah M., Ali, Shafaqat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chlorophyll A; Edetic Acid - pharmacology; FeNPs; Iron - pharmacology; Nanoparticles; Plant-essential nutrients; Remediating; Salt stress; Soil; Triticum; Wheat
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131861

Salt stress is becoming a serious problem for the global environment and agricultural sector. Different sources of iron (Fe) can provide an eco-friendly solution to remediate salt-affected soils. The Fe nanoparticles (FeNPs) and conventional sources of Fe (iron-ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid; Fe-EDTA; and iron sulfate; FeSO4) were used to evaluate their effects on wheat crop grown in normal and salt-affected soils. Application of FeNPs (25 mg/kg) on normal soil increased the dry weights of wheat roots, shoots, and grains by 46%, 59%, and 77%, respectively. In salt-affected soil, FeNPs increased the dry weights of wheat roots, shoots, and grains by 65%, 78%, and 61%, respectively. The application of FeSO4 and Fe-EDTA increased the growth parameters of wheat in both normal and salt-affected soils compared to the respective controls. The photosynthetic parameters, including chlorophyll a (50%), chlorophyll b (67%), carotenoids (62%), and total chlorophyll contents (50%), were increased with the application of FeNPs under salt stress. The FeNPs increased plant-essential nutrients like iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium in both normal and salt-affected soils. The experiment revealed that the application of Fe plays a significant role in enhancing the growth of wheat on alkaline normal and salt-affected soils. Maximum growth response was recorded with FeNPs than other Fe sources. The future must be focused on long term field experiments to economize the application of FeNPs on a large scale for commercialization. [Display omitted] •Iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) and Fe sources (FeSO4, Fe-EDTA) improved yield of salt-stressed wheat.•Both Fe sources comparatively increased the uptake of nutrients by plants.•FeNPs were more effective than other sources in increasing essential nutrients in wheat grains.