Paper Details

PJB-2026-1517

Biogenically synthesized ZnO-NPs conferred drought tolerance in mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) by modulating growth, physio-biochemical attributes, and antioxidant status

Fiza Talat, Muhammad Tariq Javed, Qasim Ali and Muhammad Nawaz
Abstract

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Nanoparticles have showcased prime importance in reducing the negative effects of drought stress in plants. The study aimed at biogenic synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Aspergillus flavus and to test ZnO-NPs against drought tolerance in two mung bean varieties (AZRI-2021, NM-54). After isolation and characterization of fungus, cell free filtrate and zinc acetate was used to synthesize ZnO-NPs followed by their characterization. After one week of seed germination, water stress was maintained at 60% of field capacity for fourteen days in a pot experiment. Foliar application of ZnO-NPs at varying levels (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg/L) was performed on the test plants. Data regarding growth, enzymatic activities, photosynthetic pigments, and biochemical components were recorded after two weeks of ZnO-NPs application. Drought stress significantly abridged growth attributes and photosynthetic pigments of all subjects. A substantial increase in shoot fresh weight (64.36%) and chlorophyll content (73.55%) of var. AZRI-2021 was observed at 10 mg/L ZnO-NPs treatment. A maximum increase in root fresh weight (51.5%), root dry weight (65.35%), and shoot length (39.92%) of var. NM-54 was recorded under the same level of application. Both vars. under study exhibited a significant difference regarding total free amino acids (TFAA), total soluble protein (TSP), total soluble sugars (TSS), and proline contents under drought stress. The plants treated with 5 mg/L ZnO-NPs demonstrated a maximum increase in TFAA (37.42 and 30.72%), while 10 mg/L treatment exhibited a maximum rise in TSP (46.26 and 46.39%), proline (47.48 and 33.04%), and TSS (40.10 and 40.20%) contents in var. AZRI-2021 and var. NM-54, respectively, under drought. The treatment of ZnO-NPs at 10 mg/L was found to be most effective in both mung bean vars. and restored the negative impacts of drought stress. In future, molecular research will reveal more about the induction of drought stress tolerance by biogenically synthesized ZnONPs

To Cite this article: Talat, F., M.T. Javed, Q. Ali and M. Nawaz. 2026. Biogenically synthesized ZnO-NPs conferred drought tolerance in mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) by modulating growth, physio-biochemical attributes, and antioxidant status. Pak. J. Bot., 58(5): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2026-5(10)  
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