Paper Details

PJB-2026-1510

Evaluation of the impact of zinc and iron nanoparticles on growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under salt stress conditions

Aneela Riaz, Muhammad Anwar-Ul-Haq, Ghulam Murtaza and Ejaz Ahmad Waraich
Abstract

---

Soil salinity adversely impacts plant growth, physiological functions, and yield by disrupting water uptake, nutrient balance, and metabolic activities. ZnO and FeO nanoparticles can improve plant growth under saline environments. Zn contributed to chloroplast membrane stabilization, enhanced chlorophyll biosynthesis, and activation of photosynthetic enzymes, while Fe acted as a cofactor in chlorophyll formation and supported electron transport processes. Both nutrients synergistically improved antioxidant defence by upregulating the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), thereby reducing lipid peroxidation and protecting membranes from oxidative damage. Moreover, Zn and Fe supplementation regulated osmolyte accumulation and ion homeostasis, leading to improved water relations and nutrient uptake under saline conditions. Overall, the combined application of Zn and Fe effectively mitigated salt-induced oxidative stress, sustained metabolic functions, and significantly enhanced wheat growth and biomass production. A hydroponic experimental study was carried out in the glass house of SARC, ISES University of Agriculture, Faisalabad to compare the efficacy of ZnO and FeO NPs in alleviating salinity stress across wheat genotypes. Four wheat varieties (Akbar-2019, FSD-08, Arooj and Lasani-08) were used from which two were salt tolerant and two were salt sensitive. Synthesized the nanoparticles of ZnO and FeO and then characterized them by SEM, XRD and FTIR. Treatments were T₁: Control, T₂: 40 mM NaCl + ZnO (50 ppm), T₃: 60 mM NaCl + ZnO (50 ppm), T₄: 80 mM NaCl + ZnO (50 ppm), T₅: 100 mM NaCl + ZnO (50 ppm), T₆: 150 mM NaCl + ZnO (50 ppm), T₇: 40 mM NaCl + FeO (20 ppm), T₈: 60 mM NaCl + FeO (20 ppm), T₉: 80 mM NaCl + FeO (20 ppm), T₁₀: 100 mM NaCl+ FeO (20 ppm), T₁₁: 150 mM NaCl+ FeO (20 ppm). After 40 days of transplanting plants were harvested and data was recorded. According to the results increasing NaCl concentrations (40-150 mM) progressively reduce shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh weight across all varieties. Arooj consistently shows the highest fresh shoot weight under all treatments, including salinity stress, indicating better tolerance. Lasani-2008 shows the greatest reduction under high salinity. Zinc and iron concentration also more in Arooj and Akbar-2019 as compare to Lasani and Fsd-2008

To Cite this article: Riaz, A., M.A. Ul-Haq, G. Murtaza and E.A. Waraich. 2026. Evaluation of the impact of zinc and iron nanoparticles on growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under salt stress conditions. Pak. J. Bot., 58(3): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2026-3(5)  
Download PDF