Nanoparticle-based strategies for enhancing faba bean (Vicia faba L.) growth and stress tolerance in saline soils

Abstract

Nanotechnology is increasingly being explored for agricultural applications, particularly in the development of advanced nano-fertilizers and their integration into innovative farming practices. Salinity stress is a major constraint affecting faba bean growth, leading to reduced biomass accumulation and diminished yield. This study carried out in a split-plot design to examine the impact of various nanoparticle treatments, nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium nanoparticles (NPK-NPs) applied individually or in combination with K-silicate, chemically synthesized silica nanoparticles (SiO₂NPs), and biologically synthesized silica nanoparticles (Myco-SiO₂NPs), on the growth and physiological responses of faba bean plants grown in saline soil conditions. The characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles confirmed their nanoscale structure, with mean diameters of 57.1 nm for Myco-SiO₂NPs, 48.9 nm for chemically synthesized SiO₂NPs, and 31.7 nm for NPK-NPs. The application of Myco-SiO₂NPs significantly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), thereby improving oxidative stress management in plants. Furthermore, the application of nanoparticle treatments—particularly SiO₂NPs—markedly increased both shoot and seed yields, with improvements of 85.3 % and 85.2 % respectively when applied alone. These enhancements were further amplified by the addition of Nano-NPK, yielding increases of 108.5 % for shoots and 91.2 % for seeds. Nutrient uptake, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, improved notably under nanoparticle and Nano-NPK treatments. These findings underscore the promise of nanoparticle-based solutions, notably the synergy between NPK-NPs and SiO₂NPs, for improving growth performance and productivity in crops affected by salinity stress.