Chitosan and Microalgae Nanoparticles: Synergistic Role in Enhancing Drought Stress Tolerance in Wheat Seedlings

Summary

This controlled-environment study tested chitosan nanoparticles, microalgae biomass, and their combined formulation as biostimulants to enhance drought tolerance in wheat seedlings under simulated osmotic stress. The combined chitosan–microalgae treatment consistently outperformed individual treatments, particularly in the drought-sensitive cultivar MV Nádor, with improvements reflected in germination traits, biomass accumulation, and upregulation of stress-response genes. The findings suggest a synergistic interaction between the two biostimulant components, positioning the combined formulation as a potential eco-friendly tool for improving early-stage wheat establishment under drought conditions.

Regional applicability

The study was conducted under controlled conditions and did not specify a particular geographic location or climate context. While the findings may be relevant to United Kingdom wheat production, particularly given climate variability and water stress risks, the transferability depends on testing these biostimulants under field conditions in UK soils and climates. Further validation in commercial growing systems and assessment of cost-effectiveness relative to existing drought-adaptation strategies would be necessary before practical adoption.

Key measures

Germination percentage, germination rate, radicle and coleoptile development, seedling vigour, biomass accumulation, tolerance index (TOL), stress tolerance index (STI), stress intensity (SI), and transcriptional expression of genes (TaSPDS, TaSAMDC, TaPAL, TaHSP70, TaPXPAO) in radicle tissues

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated how chitosan, microalgae (Nostoc linckia), and a combined chitosan–microalgae nanoparticle formulation affected germination, seedling growth, and molecular stress responses in two wheat cultivars under osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol at −2 and −4 MPa. Combined Cs-Ma treatment produced the strongest improvements in seedling vigour, biomass, stress tolerance index, and upregulation of drought-response genes including those for polyamine biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and protein protection.

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