Abstract
Salinity is one of the most detrimental abiotic stresses, significantly impairing plant growth, nutrient balance, and productivity. In recent decades, nanotechnology-based approaches, such as the use of iron oxide nanoparticles Fe(II,III) oxide nanoparticles, and micronutrient supplementation like zinc (Zn) foliar applications, have emerged as promising strategies to mitigate salinity-induced damage. These approaches are gaining importance due to their potential to enhance ion homeostasis, antioxidant defenses, and physiological functions, thereby improving plant resilience under saline conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Fe(II,III) oxide NPs and Zn on macro- and microelement accumulation, enzymatic antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and growth performance of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) subjected to salinity stress. In this regard, we designed the two different salinity conditions assigned to the main plots (0 dS m−1 control and 13 dS NaCl m−1) and the foliar application to the sub-plots, which included distilled water, zinc (Zn) (80 ppm) and iron oxide nanoparticles Fe(II,III) oxide NPs; 300 ppm). The study demonstrated that Fe(II,III) oxide NPs significantly enhanced cotton growth under salinity stress, increasing dry leaf weight (DLW) to 0.74 g and fresh leaf weight (FLW) to 4.96 g. Foliar application of zinc (Zn) notably improved relative water content (RWC) to 83.90% and SPAD value to 43.53. Both foliar treatments markedly influenced the levels of flavonoids, proline, and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POD, and SOD) in cotton leaves under saline conditions. A substantial increase in proline content and antioxidant enzyme activities was observed, with proline levels reaching 3.19 and 3.18 μmol g⁻1 FW for Zn and Fe(II,III) oxide NPs, respectively. Catalase (CAT) activity also increased significantly under salinity stress, rising to 54.86% with Zn and 55.72% with Fe(II,III) oxide NPs compared to non-saline conditions. Another notable finding was a 384.7% increase in leaf Zn content with Zn application under salinity stress. Nutrient accumulation exhibited organ-specific variations, with Fe(II,III) oxide NPs affecting affecting K, Mg, Na, Fe2⁺/Fe3⁺, and Zn whereas Zn treatments enhanced K, Mg, Na, Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations. Additionally, Zn, Cu, and Mg concentrations were higher in leaves, while Na, Zn, Cu, and Mn were more pronounced in roots. The results indicate that foliar applications of Zn and Fe(II,III) oxide NPs enhance cotton growth and stress tolerance by promoting ion homeostasis, strengthening antioxidant defenses, and supporting key physiological processes. This study highlights the potential of nanotechnology as a sustainable strategy for nutrient management in saline environments, contributing to improved agricultural productivity and resilience.
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Claims 16
Claim · model-written summary
Iron oxide nanoparticles increased dry leaf weight under salinity to 0.74 g.
- Taxon
- cotton
Gossypium hirsutume0 - Treatment
- Fe(II,III) oxide NPse0
- Outcome
- dry leaf weight (DLW)e0
- Direction
- increasinge0
- Value
- 0.74 ge0
- Qualifier
- under salinity stresse0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Fe(II,III) oxide NPs significantly enhanced cotton growth under salinity stress, increasing dry leaf weight (DLW) to 0.74 g”
Claim · model-written summary
Iron oxide nanoparticles increased fresh leaf weight under salinity to 4.96 g.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutume0
- Treatment
- Fe(II,III) oxide NPse0
- Outcome
- fresh leaf weight (FLW)e0
- Direction
- increasinge0
- Value
- 4.96 ge0
- Qualifier
- under salinity stresse0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Fe(II,III) oxide NPs significantly enhanced cotton growth under salinity stress, increasing dry leaf weight (DLW) to 0.74 g and fresh leaf weight (FLW) to 4.96 g”
Claim · model-written summary
Zinc foliar application improved relative water content to 83.90%.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Treatment
- Foliar application of zinc (Zn)e0
- Outcome
- relative water content (RWC)e0
- Direction
- improvede0
- Value
- 83.90%e0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“Foliar application of zinc (Zn) notably improved relative water content (RWC) to 83.90%”
Claim · model-written summary
Zinc foliar application improved SPAD value to 43.53.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Treatment
- Foliar application of zinc (Zn)e0
- Outcome
- SPAD valuee0
- Direction
- improvede0
- Value
- 43.53e0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“Foliar application of zinc (Zn) notably improved relative water content (RWC) to 83.90% and SPAD value to 43.53”
Claim · model-written summary
Zinc increased cotton leaf proline to 3.19 μmol g⁻1 FW under salinity.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Treatment
- Zne0
- Outcome
- proline contente0
- Direction
- increasee0
- Value
- 3.19e0
- Qualifier
- μmol g⁻1 FWe0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“A substantial increase in proline content and antioxidant enzyme activities was observed, with proline levels reaching 3.19 and 3.18 μmol g⁻1 FW for Zn and Fe(II,III) oxide NPs, respectively”
Claim · model-written summary
Iron oxide nanoparticles increased cotton leaf proline to 3.18 μmol g⁻1 FW.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Treatment
- Fe(II,III) oxide NPse0
- Outcome
- proline contente0
- Direction
- increasee0
- Value
- 3.18 μmol g⁻1 FWe0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“A substantial increase in proline content and antioxidant enzyme activities was observed, with proline levels reaching 3.19 and 3.18 μmol g⁻1 FW for Zn and Fe(II,III) oxide NPs, respectively”
Claim · model-written summary
Zinc increased catalase activity to 54.86% under salinity relative to nonsaline conditions.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Treatment
- Zne0
- Outcome
- Catalase (CAT) activitye0
- Direction
- increasede0
- Value
- 54.86%e0
- Comparator
- non-saline conditionse0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“Catalase (CAT) activity also increased significantly under salinity stress, rising to 54.86% with Zn and 55.72% with Fe(II,III) oxide NPs compared to non-saline conditions”
Claim · model-written summary
Iron oxide nanoparticles increased catalase activity to 55.72% under salinity relative to nonsaline conditions.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Treatment
- Fe(II,III) oxide NPse0
- Outcome
- Catalase (CAT) activitye0
- Direction
- increasede0
- Value
- 55.72%e0
- Comparator
- non-saline conditionse0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“Catalase (CAT) activity also increased significantly under salinity stress, rising to 54.86% with Zn and 55.72% with Fe(II,III) oxide NPs compared to non-saline conditions”
Claim · model-written summary
Zinc application increased leaf Zn content by 384.7% during salinity.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Treatment
- Zn applicatione0
- Outcome
- leaf Zn contente0
- Direction
- increasee0
- Value
- 384.7%e0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“a 384.7% increase in leaf Zn content with Zn application under salinity stress”
Claim · model-written summary
Iron oxide nanoparticles affected cotton K, Mg and Na accumulation.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Treatment
- Fe(II,III) oxide NPse0
- Outcome
- K, Mg, Nae0
Not reportedComparatorDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“Fe(II,III) oxide NPs affecting affecting K, Mg, Na, Fe2⁺/Fe3⁺, and Zn”
Claim · model-written summary
Iron oxide nanoparticles affected cotton Fe and Zn accumulation.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Treatment
- Fe(II,III) oxide NPse0
- Outcome
- Fe2⁺/Fe3⁺, and Zne0
Not reportedComparatorDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“Fe(II,III) oxide NPs affecting affecting K, Mg, Na, Fe2⁺/Fe3⁺, and Zn”
Claim · model-written summary
Zinc treatment enhanced cotton K, Mg and Na concentrations.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Treatment
- Zn treatmentse0
- Outcome
- K, Mg, Nae0
- Direction
- enhancede0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“Zn treatments enhanced K, Mg, Na, Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations”
Claim · model-written summary
Zinc treatment enhanced cotton Zn, Cu and Mn concentrations.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Treatment
- Zn treatmentse0
- Outcome
- Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrationse0
- Direction
- enhancede0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“Zn treatments enhanced K, Mg, Na, Zn, Cu, and Mn concentrations”
Claim · model-written summary
Cotton leaf Zn, Cu and Mg concentrations were higher than in roots.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Organ / stage
- leavese0
- Outcome
- Zn, Cu, and Mg concentrationse0
- Direction
- highere0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“Zn, Cu, and Mg concentrations were higher in leaves”
Claim · model-written summary
Cotton root Na, Zn, Cu and Mn were more pronounced than in leaves.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Organ / stage
- rootse0
- Outcome
- Na, Zn, Cu, and Mne0
- Direction
- more pronouncede0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“Na, Zn, Cu, and Mn were more pronounced in roots”
Claim · model-written summary
Zinc foliar treatment influenced cotton leaf flavonoids, proline and antioxidant enzymes under salinity.
- Taxon
- cottonGossypium hirsutumt0
- Organ / stage
- cotton leavese0
- Treatment
- foliar treatmentse0
- Outcome
- levels of flavonoids, proline, and antioxidant enzymese0
Not reportedComparatorDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“cotton”
e0“Both foliar treatments markedly influenced the levels of flavonoids, proline, and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POD, and SOD) in cotton leaves under saline conditions”
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See all 16 papers →8 of 12 groups shown: named compounds and organisms first, then groups whose results differ (checked claim by claim), then those with positive and negative results, then the smaller groups.
Claims are grouped by organism, treatment and what was measured or targeted. A paper counts as positive when any of its claims in the group is positive.