Summary
This pot experiment evaluated the synergistic potential of green-synthesised zinc oxide nanoparticles (derived from papaya fruit extract) combined with Pseudomonas sp. rhizobacteria to enhance wheat resilience under heat, drought, and combined stress. The combined treatment substantially upregulated wheat defence mechanisms, increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and stress-protective compounds whilst reducing oxidative damage markers. The findings suggest that microbial–nanomaterial integration offers a biotechnological approach to mitigate compound climate stressors in cereal production, though field-scale validation and regulatory assessment remain pending.
Regional applicability
The study was conducted in a controlled pot experiment with no specified location; transferability to United Kingdom wheat production would require field validation under UK climate and soil conditions. UK farmers facing increasing heat and drought risk during critical growth periods could benefit from such biotechnological interventions, though regulatory approval for zinc oxide nanoparticles and commercial availability of appropriate PGPR strains would need clarification.
Key measures
Biomass, photosynthetic pigments, nutrient content, soluble sugars, protein, indole acetic acid, proline, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase), abscisic acid, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)
Outcomes reported
The study measured wheat physiological and biochemical responses to combined heat and drought stress, including growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzyme activity, stress metabolites (proline, MDA, H₂O₂), and oxidative damage markers under individual and combined stress conditions.
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