Iron-Associated Silver Nanoparticles Improve Na⁺/k⁺ Homeostasis, Redox Balance, Photosynthetic Performance, and Biomass Under Salinity Stress in Cotton
Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s42729-026-03677-9
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Gas-exchange parameters, Nanoparticles, Osmolytes, Osmoregulation
- Uşak Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Abstract: Salinity stress is a major abiotic factor limiting crop productivity by impairing plant growth, physiological performance, and metabolic processes. Although nanotechnology has emerged as a promising strategy to alleviate salinity-induced damage, the role of Fe-associated silver nanoparticles (Fe- associated AgNPs) in cotton under salt stress remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Fe-associated AgNPs in mitigating salinity-induced toxicity and improving physiological and metabolic performance in cotton plants. Cotton plants were exposed to salinity stress and treated with foliar applications of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and Fe-associated AgNPs. Growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, biosynthetic intermediates, gas exchange parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant defense systems, osmoprotectants, and photosynthetic enzyme activities were evaluated to assess the effectiveness of nanoparticle treatments under saline conditions. Salinity stress substantially reduced shoot length (− 76%), root length (− 89%), dry biomass (− 81%), leaf area (− 78%), photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange traits, including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration. Oxidative stress indicators, including hydrogen peroxide, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and superoxide anion, increased markedly under salt stress. However, foliar application of AgNPs, particularly Fe-associated AgNPs, significantly alleviated salinity-induced damage by enhancing antioxidant defenses [superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), reduced glutathione (GSH), and proline), osmoprotectant accumulation, carbonic anhydrase and Rubisco activities, and photosynthetic efficiency. Fe-associated AgNPs effectively mitigated salinity-induced toxicity and restored physiological and metabolic functions in cotton, highlighting their potential as an innovative nanotechnological approach for improving crop resilience in saline agroecosystems.