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Nanotechnology

Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Enhance Heat Stress Tolerance in Wheat

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from Punjab Agricultural University have published a study in Cereal Research Communications detailing the effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on heat stress tolerance in wheat. The study involved two wheat cultivars, Unnat PBW 343 and HD 296, treated with 1.5 ppm and 10 ppm of ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles under high temperature conditions. The results showed that the application of ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles increased shoot, root length, and biomass activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), indicating improved antioxidant defense responses.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that both ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles had a promoting effect on seedling performance at lower concentrations (1.5 ppm) compared to higher concentrations (10 ppm).
  • TiO2 nanoparticles showed slightly better seedling performance than ZnO nanoparticles, but ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a greater antioxidant defense response.
  • The Unnat PBW 343 cultivar had lower malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents, with higher upregulation of antioxidant defense systems under heat stress conditions treated with nanoparticles.
  • The uptake of nanoparticles was confirmed using scanning electron microscope-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, showing different shapes and sizes, including bunches of irregular particles, round-shaped particles, and small particles.
  • The study concluded that pretreatment with ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles significantly improved resistance against heat stress through increased SOD and GPX activity, leading to lower H2O2 levels and membrane stabilization.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in Cereal Research Communications in 2021.

Statistics:

  • The study was conducted on two wheat cultivars, Unnat PBW 343 and HD 296, treated with 1.5 ppm and 10 ppm of ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles.
  • The temperature used in the study was 32 degrees C, and the duration of the study was 12 days.
  • The SOD and GPX activity increased by 1.5 times compared to the control group.
  • The MDA content was 1.5 times lower in the Unnat PBW 343 cultivar treated with nanoparticles.
  • The H2O2 levels decreased with the application of ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles.

Sources:

  • Cereal Research Communications, 2021
  • NewsRx, "Recent Research from Punjab Agricultural University Highlight Findings in Nanoparticles (Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Influence Heat Stress Tolerance Mediated By Antioxidant Defense System In Wheat)", Nanotechnology Weekly, August 16, 2021; p 3796.

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