Guangxi Zhiwu (Dec 2023)
Effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles seed priming on seed germination and seedling growth of pepper under salt stress
Abstract
Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPS) have been shown to improve the salt tolerance of plant due to the potential to eliminate free radicals and the antioxidation properties. However, the effects and mechanisms of seed priming with CeO2NPS on pepper plant are unclear. To reveal impacts of CeO2NPS seed priming on the germination and seedling growth of peeper plants under salt stress, using the Maoshu 360 variety of pepper（Capsicum annuum）as material, a total of seven concentrations of treatments (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 mmol·L-1) and a control of un-treatment were carried out to investigate effects of CeO2NPS seed priming on seed germination rate, seedling biomass, and physiological and biochemical indexes under salt stress. The results were as follows: (1) In the seed priming with 0.5 mmol·L-1 CeO2NPS, soluble protein, content of proline, activity of catalase (CAT), content of ascorbic acid (AsA) and ratio of AsA/DHA significantly increased and levels of the superoxide anion (O2-) significantly decreased. There was no loss of viability for the seeds primed with cerium oxide nanoparticles. Indeed their germination rate and germination potential were enhanced under salt stress, and their germination index, and vigor index were improved under salt stress. (2) Under salt stress, seedlings from seeds primed with 0.4 mmol·L-1 CeO2NPS showed the highest fresh weight, dry weight, and root length; additionally, soluble protein content, AsA content and AsA/DHA ratio were also improved. In conclusion, seed priming with CeO2NPS can not only enhance seed germination under salt stress by decreasing seed water potential, accelerating storage substances metabolism and improving antioxidant capacity but also promote seedling growth through boosting protein synthesis and ascorbic acid-glutathione cycle (AsA-GSH).
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