Physiochemical response of Cicer arietinum to zinc-containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles under water stress

Chickpea is an important food legume cultivated in semiarid regions, where water scarcity and nutrient deficiencies negatively affect crop production. This study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc and silicon from different sources, including bulk and nanostructures, on various biochemical traits of chickpea plants grown under field conditions in Maragheh, Northwest Iran. The main experimental factor consisted of three soil moisture levels: irrigation to 90% of field capacity (FC), 60% FC, and 30% FC. The subplots were assigned for foliar application of different fertilizers: control (distilled water), zinc sulfate (ZnSO), silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs), ZnSO+SiO₂ NPs, and zinc-containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs-Zn). The results showed that although decreased soil moisture had a negative impact on several biochemical processes, foliar application of Zn and Si in both conventional bulk and nanostructure significantly affected plant antioxidant system, plasma membrane integrity, and the concentrations of photosynthetic pigments and compatible solutes. However, the most inducing effects on catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and anthocyanin were observed with the foliar spray of MSNPs-Zn and ZnSO+SiO₂ under 60% FC. Moreover, foliar spray of MSNPs-Zn alleviated the negative effects of water deficit stress on photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a/b and carotenoid content). Water stress significantly induced the accumulation of free proline in the leaves. Overall, the results indicated that foliar spray of MSNPs-Zn, especially under 60% FC, improved the plant’s defense system, scavenged reactive oxygen species, and enhanced the accumulation and stability of pigments, thereby mitigating the effects of drought stress.