Synergistic application of silver nanoparticles and indole acetic acid alleviate cadmium induced stress and improve growth of Daucus carota L.

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the major hazardous elements that is very toxic to the health of both human and plants. The toxicity of Cd causes plants to suffer by disabling their overall physiological mechanisms. Therefore, present study was intended to investigate the synergistic role of AgNPs and IAA in improving the resilience against Cd toxicity and underlaying physiological and biochemical mechanisms in carrot (Daucus carota L.) plants. Also, the existence of genotypic variation for Cd tolerance in D. carota was also studied. The results revealed that Cd stress decreased plant growth attributes like root diameter, root length, root weight, shoot weight, shoot length, leaves fresh weight and leaves dry weight. Nonetheless, AgNPs and IAA mitigated Cd stress by detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, the application of AgNPs and IAA boosted plant growth through reducing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). Enhancement in the activity of phenol synthesizing and oxidizing enzymes including peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase was also observed by application of AgNPs and IAA. The increased activities of antioxidant enzymes including POX, PPO and PAL by the combined application of AgNPs and IAA advocate stress ameliorative role against Cd stress in plants. The enhanced Cd content was detected in the roots as compared to shoots of treated plants. Pre breed 22 was found as a Cd tolerant genotype.

Role of magnesium oxide nanoparticles in the mitigation of lead-induced stress in Daucus carota: modulation in polyamines and antioxidant enzymes.

During the current study, the effects of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (5 mmol/L) were observed on the growth and mineral nutrients of Daucus carota under lead (Pb) stress. The results demonstrated that Pb stress decreased the growth and photosynthetic rate of D. carota plants. Furthermore, Pb stressed plants showed decreased uptake of mineral nutrients including Zn, Na, Fe, K, Ca, Mg, K, and Cu. Similarly, Pb stressed plants showed enhanced electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. However, magnesium oxide nanoparticles detoxified ROS to mitigate Pb stress and improved the growth of plants. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles also escalated the activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT). A higher amount of Pb content was observed in the roots as compared to the shoot of plants. Lead toxicity reduced manganese accumulation in D. carota plants. The increased concentration of iron, manganese, copper, and zinc advocates stress the ameliorative role of Pb stress in plants. Novelty statementThe role of MgONPs in the alleviation of Pb-toxicity in Daucus carota has never been exploited. In addition, the potential of MgONPs to enhance nutritional content in D. carota via modulation in antioxidant system and polyamines have never been reported.