Abstract
Water stress significantly impedes the normal growth and development of crops. Water scarcity profoundly affects crop growth and productivity, notably impacting vital crops like maize (Zea mays L.). The field of nanotechnology has surfaced as a promising avenue for mitigating the negative consequences of water stress on crucial crops. The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs). The CSNPs were synthesized using extracts from Nigella sativa L. and were characterized by employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The optimized CSNPs doses from the screening experiment (ranges between 300 µg/L to 500 mg/L) were applied as a foliar spray to maize plants in a pot experiment, in both typical and drought scenarios. A completely randomized factorial design (CRD) was employed for the experiment. Characterization by SEM analysis showed the existence of CSNPs, displaying an average particle size of 89 nm. Whereas XRD analysis showed a crystalline structure. FTIR analysis unveiled the existence of diverse functional groups that functioned as reducing agents on the surface of synthesized CSNPs. Furthermore, CSNPs significantly mitigated the negative effects of water stress by positively influencing various growth parameters of maize crops. It was noted that there was an increase in plant length by 10.20 %, leaf area by 29.87 %, number of tillers per plant by 5.92 %, ear length by 8.66 %, cob weight by 47.22 %, and number of grains by 462.42 % in comparison to the control. Moreover, the utilization of CSNPs had a profound impact on phytochemical parameters, including osmotic potential increases by 5.61 %, relative water content decreases by 2.24 %, chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreases by 18.14 % and 17.28 % respectively, membrane stability index increases by 9.82 %, sugar content decreases by 6.085, proteins increases by 61.67 %, phenolics increases by 0.42 %, proline decreases by 5.51 %, flavonoids increases by 21.12 %, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreases by 21.07 % in drought stress as compared to control. The levels of MDA, a marker of oxidative stress, in maize, decreased significantly in drought conditions by 21.07 % in response to the application of CSNPs. Stress studies revealed that CSNPs increased the functioning of antioxidant enzymes under drought stress, such as catalase (CAT) by 13.71 %, peroxidase (POD) by 27.17 %, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 24.66 %, as compared to control suggesting their role as stress mitigators. In conclusion, the study establishes that chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs) positively enhance drought tolerance in maize, making them a potential tool for sustainable agriculture under water-limited conditions.
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Claims 20
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increased maize plant length by 10.20 % versus control under drought.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- plant lengthe0
- Direction
- increasee0
- Value
- 10.20 %e0
- Qualifier
- droughtt0
- Comparator
- controle0
Zea maysOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“It was noted that there was an increase in plant length by 10.20 %, leaf area by 29.87 %, number of tillers per plant by 5.92 %, ear length by 8.66 %, cob weight by 47.22 %, and number of grains by 462.42 % in comparison to the control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increased maize leaf area by 29.87 % versus control under drought.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- leaf areae0
- Direction
- increasee0
- Value
- 29.87 %e0
- Qualifier
- droughtt0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“It was noted that there was an increase in plant length by 10.20 %, leaf area by 29.87 %, number of tillers per plant by 5.92 %, ear length by 8.66 %, cob weight by 47.22 %, and number of grains by 462.42 % in comparison to the control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increased maize number of tillers per plant by 5.92 % versus control under drought.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- number of tillers per plante0
- Direction
- increasee0
- Value
- 5.92 %e0
- Qualifier
- droughtt0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“It was noted that there was an increase in plant length by 10.20 %, leaf area by 29.87 %, number of tillers per plant by 5.92 %, ear length by 8.66 %, cob weight by 47.22 %, and number of grains by 462.42 % in comparison to the control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increased maize ear length by 8.66 % versus control under drought.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- ear lengthe0
- Direction
- increasee0
- Value
- 8.66 %e0
- Qualifier
- droughtt0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“It was noted that there was an increase in plant length by 10.20 %, leaf area by 29.87 %, number of tillers per plant by 5.92 %, ear length by 8.66 %, cob weight by 47.22 %, and number of grains by 462.42 % in comparison to the control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increased maize cob weight by 47.22 % versus control under drought.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- cob weighte0
- Direction
- increasee0
- Value
- 47.22 %e0
- Qualifier
- droughtt0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“It was noted that there was an increase in plant length by 10.20 %, leaf area by 29.87 %, number of tillers per plant by 5.92 %, ear length by 8.66 %, cob weight by 47.22 %, and number of grains by 462.42 % in comparison to the control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increased maize number of grains by 462.42 % versus control under drought.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- number of grainse0
- Direction
- increasee0
- Value
- 462.42 %e0
- Qualifier
- droughtt0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“It was noted that there was an increase in plant length by 10.20 %, leaf area by 29.87 %, number of tillers per plant by 5.92 %, ear length by 8.66 %, cob weight by 47.22 %, and number of grains by 462.42 % in comparison to the control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increases maize osmotic potential by 5.61 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- osmotic potentiale0
- Direction
- increasese0
- Value
- 5.61 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“osmotic potential increases by 5.61 %, relative water content decreases by 2.24 %, chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreases by 18.14 % and 17.28 % respectively, membrane stability index increases by 9.82 %, sugar content decreases by 6.085, proteins increases by 61.67 %, phenolics increases by 0.42 %, proline decreases by 5.51 %, flavonoids increases by 21.12 %, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreases by 21.07 % in drought stress as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs decreases maize relative water content by 2.24 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- relative water contente0
- Direction
- decreasese0
- Value
- 2.24 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“osmotic potential increases by 5.61 %, relative water content decreases by 2.24 %, chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreases by 18.14 % and 17.28 % respectively, membrane stability index increases by 9.82 %, sugar content decreases by 6.085, proteins increases by 61.67 %, phenolics increases by 0.42 %, proline decreases by 5.51 %, flavonoids increases by 21.12 %, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreases by 21.07 % in drought stress as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs decreases maize chlorophyll by 18.14 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- chlorophylle0
- Direction
- decreasese0
- Value
- 18.14 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“osmotic potential increases by 5.61 %, relative water content decreases by 2.24 %, chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreases by 18.14 % and 17.28 % respectively, membrane stability index increases by 9.82 %, sugar content decreases by 6.085, proteins increases by 61.67 %, phenolics increases by 0.42 %, proline decreases by 5.51 %, flavonoids increases by 21.12 %, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreases by 21.07 % in drought stress as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs decreases maize carotenoid content by 17.28 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- carotenoid contente0
- Direction
- decreasese0
- Value
- 17.28 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“osmotic potential increases by 5.61 %, relative water content decreases by 2.24 %, chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreases by 18.14 % and 17.28 % respectively, membrane stability index increases by 9.82 %, sugar content decreases by 6.085, proteins increases by 61.67 %, phenolics increases by 0.42 %, proline decreases by 5.51 %, flavonoids increases by 21.12 %, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreases by 21.07 % in drought stress as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increases maize membrane stability index by 9.82 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- membrane stability indexe0
- Direction
- increasese0
- Value
- 9.82 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“osmotic potential increases by 5.61 %, relative water content decreases by 2.24 %, chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreases by 18.14 % and 17.28 % respectively, membrane stability index increases by 9.82 %, sugar content decreases by 6.085, proteins increases by 61.67 %, phenolics increases by 0.42 %, proline decreases by 5.51 %, flavonoids increases by 21.12 %, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreases by 21.07 % in drought stress as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs decreases maize sugar content by 6.085 under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- sugar contente0
- Direction
- decreasese0
- Value
- 6.085e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“osmotic potential increases by 5.61 %, relative water content decreases by 2.24 %, chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreases by 18.14 % and 17.28 % respectively, membrane stability index increases by 9.82 %, sugar content decreases by 6.085, proteins increases by 61.67 %, phenolics increases by 0.42 %, proline decreases by 5.51 %, flavonoids increases by 21.12 %, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreases by 21.07 % in drought stress as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increases maize proteins by 61.67 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- proteinse0
- Direction
- increasese0
- Value
- 61.67 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“osmotic potential increases by 5.61 %, relative water content decreases by 2.24 %, chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreases by 18.14 % and 17.28 % respectively, membrane stability index increases by 9.82 %, sugar content decreases by 6.085, proteins increases by 61.67 %, phenolics increases by 0.42 %, proline decreases by 5.51 %, flavonoids increases by 21.12 %, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreases by 21.07 % in drought stress as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increases maize phenolics by 0.42 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- phenolicse0
- Direction
- increasese0
- Value
- 0.42 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“osmotic potential increases by 5.61 %, relative water content decreases by 2.24 %, chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreases by 18.14 % and 17.28 % respectively, membrane stability index increases by 9.82 %, sugar content decreases by 6.085, proteins increases by 61.67 %, phenolics increases by 0.42 %, proline decreases by 5.51 %, flavonoids increases by 21.12 %, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreases by 21.07 % in drought stress as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs decreases maize proline by 5.51 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- prolinee0
- Direction
- decreasese0
- Value
- 5.51 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“osmotic potential increases by 5.61 %, relative water content decreases by 2.24 %, chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreases by 18.14 % and 17.28 % respectively, membrane stability index increases by 9.82 %, sugar content decreases by 6.085, proteins increases by 61.67 %, phenolics increases by 0.42 %, proline decreases by 5.51 %, flavonoids increases by 21.12 %, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreases by 21.07 % in drought stress as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increases maize flavonoids by 21.12 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- flavonoidse0
- Direction
- increasese0
- Value
- 21.12 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“osmotic potential increases by 5.61 %, relative water content decreases by 2.24 %, chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreases by 18.14 % and 17.28 % respectively, membrane stability index increases by 9.82 %, sugar content decreases by 6.085, proteins increases by 61.67 %, phenolics increases by 0.42 %, proline decreases by 5.51 %, flavonoids increases by 21.12 %, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreases by 21.07 % in drought stress as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs decreases maize malondialdehyde (MDA) content by 21.07 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPst0
- Outcome
- malondialdehyde (MDA) contente0
- Direction
- decreasese0
- Value
- 21.07 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“osmotic potential increases by 5.61 %, relative water content decreases by 2.24 %, chlorophyll and carotenoid content decreases by 18.14 % and 17.28 % respectively, membrane stability index increases by 9.82 %, sugar content decreases by 6.085, proteins increases by 61.67 %, phenolics increases by 0.42 %, proline decreases by 5.51 %, flavonoids increases by 21.12 %, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreases by 21.07 % in drought stress as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increased maize catalase (CAT) activity by 13.71 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPse0
- Gene
- catalase (CAT)e0
- Outcome
- antioxidant enzymese0
- Direction
- increasede0
- Value
- 13.71 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“CSNPs increased the functioning of antioxidant enzymes under drought stress, such as catalase (CAT) by 13.71 %, peroxidase (POD) by 27.17 %, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 24.66 %, as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increased maize peroxidase (POD) activity by 27.17 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPse0
- Gene
- peroxidase (POD)e0
- Outcome
- antioxidant enzymese0
- Direction
- increasede0
- Value
- 27.17 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“CSNPs increased the functioning of antioxidant enzymes under drought stress, such as catalase (CAT) by 13.71 %, peroxidase (POD) by 27.17 %, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 24.66 %, as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
Claim · model-written summary
CSNPs increased maize superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by 24.66 % under drought versus control.
- Treatment
- CSNPse0
- Gene
- superoxide dismutase (SOD)e0
- Outcome
- antioxidant enzymese0
- Direction
- increasede0
- Value
- 24.66 %e0
- Qualifier
- drought stresse0
- Comparator
- controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“CSNPs increased the functioning of antioxidant enzymes under drought stress, such as catalase (CAT) by 13.71 %, peroxidase (POD) by 27.17 %, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 24.66 %, as compared to control”
t0“The objective of this study was to alleviate the negative impacts of drought stress on maize ( Z. mays) via the utilization of chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (CSNPs).”
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