Physiological effects of strontium oxide nanoparticles (SrO) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Numerous studies have been carried out on the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in hydroponic systems on different plants in recent years, and many studies have been conducted to determine the effects of NP in hydroponic environments on wheat plants. However, no studies have been conducted on the effects of strontium oxide (SrO) NPs on wheat plants. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of SrO NPs in 0,0 – 0,5 – 1,0 – 1,5 – 2,0 – 4,0 – 6,0 and 8,0 mM concentrations on Esperia bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotype in hydroponic system. Following obsevations were taken; shoot length (cm), shoot fresh weight (g), root number (number), root length (cm), root fresh weight (g), chlorophyll amount (SPAD), cell membrane damage (%), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content (μmol/g), molandialdehyde (MDA) content (ng/μl), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (U/g FW), peroxidase (POD) activity (U/g FW) and superoxidedismutase (SOD) activity (U/g FW). As a result of the study it was observed that SrO NP treatments had positive effects on shoot length and shoot fresh weight up to 1,5 mM concentration when compared to the control but this increasing effect changed to a decrease after 2,0 mM concentration. When the root data evaluated there were significant decreases in root length and root fresh weight values, although root numbers increased due to increasing SrO NPs concentrations. When chlorophyll values (SPAD) were examined, it was determined that chlorophyll content decreased up to 2,0 mM SrO concentrations but increased at high SrO NP concentrations. Although treatments up to 2.0 mM concentration cause very low damage to cells, it has been found that this concentration and above caused significant cellular damage. Similar results obtained in H2O2 and MDA values; increasing SrO NPs concentrations did not cause marked stress in plants. When the enzymes values were considered, the application of SrO NPs up to 2,0 mM concentration had no pronounced effect on plants, and improved the plant's defense mechanism by significantly increasing APX, POD and SOD values, which are antioxidants enzymes. When all obtained results were taken into account, it was clearly appeared that the application of SrO NPs to wheat plants are effective in shoot and root development, increase in chlorophyll amount, improvement to cell tolerance and resistance to stress conditions by increasing stress-related enzymes. Therefore, as a conclusion of the research it is possible to be resulted that SrO NPs could be used successfully in classical and modern breeding studies of wheat plants and that the use of NPs in commercial plant production could make significant contributions to the national economy.