Effects of foliar application of nanoparticle of iron, zinc and silicon on yield and some agrophysiological traits of rye (Secale cereale L.) under salinity stress

Background and objectives: Among the abiotic stresses, salinity is one of the most destructive stresses that limit crop production worldwide, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Due to its detrimental effects on numerous physiological and biochemical processes, this stress restricts the growth and development of plants. One of the suitable methods to improve plants’ resistance to environmental stresses is the application of nanoparticles (Fe, Zn and Si). Applying NPs by protecting the membranes and photosynthetic system can increase the performance of crop plants under stress conditions. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of foliar application of nanoparticles of iron, zinc and silicon on yield and some agrophysiological traits of rye under salinity stress.
Materials and methods: An experimental as factorial was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the research greenhouse of Faculty of Agriculture and Natural resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2023. Factors experimental were included salinity at three levels (no salinity as control, salinity 70 and 140 mM by NaCl), and foliar application of nanoparticle (Zn, Fe and Si) at eight levels (foliar application with water as control, foliar application 40 mg.L-1 nano silicon, foliar application 0.8 g.L-1 nano znic oxide, foliar application 0.8 g.L-1 nano iron oxide, foliar application of nano Si-Zn oxide, nano silicon-iron oxide, nano Zn-Fe oxide, foliar application of nano Fe-Zn oxide and nano silicon).
Results: The results showed that salinity increased the contribution of dry matter remobilization from stem and air parts to grain yield, while it decreased total chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, quantum yield, leaf area index, root weigh and volume, current photosynthesis, contribution of photosynthesis current in grain yield and grain yield compared with no salinity. However, both application of nanoparticles foliar application under salinity 140 mM decreased contribution of dry matter remobilization to grain yield (56%) and contribution of stem remobilization to grain yield (57.8%) in compared to no application of nanoparticles under the same salinity level. Also, the application of nanoparticles (Zn, Fe and Si) under salinity 140 mM increased the total chlorophyll content (32.6%), stomatal conductance (32.4%), quantum yield (13.2%), leaf area index (31.4%), root weigh and volume (13.8 and 17.2%, respectively), current photosynthesis (62.2%), contribution of photosynthesis current in grain yield (19%) and grain yield (33.9%) in compared to no application of nanoparticles under salinity 140 mM.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this experiment, foliar application of nanoparticles can be suggested as an effective factor for increasing the yield of rye under salinity conditions.