Green-Synthesized Nanocellulose Enhanced Germination, Morphology Roots, Nutrients Influx of Wheat Seedlings under Salinity Stress

Abstract

Nanoparticles have been widely used in agriculture in the past few years. The purpose of this work was to illustrate the potential of nanocellulose (NC) at different concentrations (0, 0.3%, and 0.6%) for priming wheat to enhance seed germination under different saline concentration (0.7, 5, 10, 15, and 20 dSm -1 ) and to investigate the impacts of NC seed priming treatments on growth, root morphology, water relation, Superoxidase enzyme (SOD) and nutrient influx under salt stress. Results indicated that salt stress decreased germination percent, root length, root surface area, and water content. Moreover, increased root radius, Na influx and SOD enzyme. Seed priming with NC at 0.3% was the best treatment in improving germination percent, root length, root surface area and Na influx. While seed priming with 0.6% was the most effective treatment in decreasing SOD enzyme. Overall, the results of this study showed that applying NC as a priming seed treatment can improve wheat germination and seedling growth while shielding the plants from the damaging effects of salinity stress.