Gene expression, X-ray diffraction patterns, and AsA-GSH cycle responses in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under chromium stress: influence of iron oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is grabbing great attention all over the world because of its stimulating use in numerous fields, and the iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) application has been examined in various studies. Conversely, the IONPs and ZnO-NPs combinatorial use is a new method and researched in limited literature. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted to examine various growth and biochemical parameters in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under the toxic concentration of chromium (Cr) which were primed with alone and also combined application of IONPs and ZnO-NPs. The results showed that the Cr toxicity in the soil showed a significantly (P < 0.05) declined in the growth, gas exchange attributes, sugars, nutrient content, AsA-GSH cycle and proline metabolism in T. aestivum. However, Cr toxicity significantly (P < 0.05) increased oxidative stress biomarkers, enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants including their gene expression in T. aestivum. Although, the application of IONPs and ZnO-NPs showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the plant growth and biomass, gas exchange characteristics, enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds and their gene expression and also decreased the oxidative stress, and Cr uptake. In addition, individual or combined application of IONPs and ZnO-NPs enhanced the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants and decreases the proline metabolism and AsAGSH cycle in T. aestivum. These results open new insights for sustainable agriculture practices and hold immense promise in addressing the pressing challenges of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils.