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Chai S, Yang Z, Deng X, Wang L, Jiang Y, Liao J, Yang R, Wang X, Zhang L. ZnO quantum dots alleviate salt stress in Salvia miltiorrhiza by enhancing growth, scavenging reactive oxygen species, and modulating stress-responsive genes. Environ Pollut 2024; 344:123363. [PMID: 38242309 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Experiments were conducted to investigate the alleviating effects of ZnO quantum dots (ZnO QDs) on salt stress in Salvia miltiorrhiza by comparing them with conventional ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The results demonstrated that compared with salt stress alone, foliar application of ZnO QDs significantly improved the biomass as well as the total chlorophyll and carotenoids contents under salt stress. ZnO QDs reduced H2O2 and MDA levels, decreased non-enzymatic antioxidant (ASA and GSH) content, and improved antioxidant enzyme (POD, SOD, CAT, PAL, and PPO) activity under salt stress. Metal elemental analysis further demonstrated that the ZnO QDs markedly increased Zn and K contents while decreasing Na content, resulting in a lower Na/K ratio compared to salt stress alone. Finally, RNA sequencing results indicated that ZnO QDs primarily regulated genes associated with stress-responsive pathways, including plant hormone signal transduction, the MAPK signaling pathway, and metabolic-related pathways, thereby alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress. In comparison, ZnO NPs did not exhibit similar effects in terms of improving plant growth, enhancing the antioxidant system, or regulating stress-responsive genes under salt stress. These findings highlight the distinct advantages of ZnO QDs and suggest their potential as a valuable tool for mitigating salt stress in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyue Chai
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Ziya Yang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Xuexue Deng
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Long Wang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jiang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Jinqiu Liao
- Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Ruiwu Yang
- Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Xianxiang Wang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China
| | - Li Zhang
- College of Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China; Featured Medicinal Plants Sharing and Service Platform of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, China.
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