Cerium oxide nanoparticles improve cotton salt tolerance by enabling better ability to maintain cytosolic K+/Na+ ratio

Abstract Background Salinity is a worldwide factor limiting the agricultural production. Cotton an important cash crop; however, its yield and product quality are negatively affected by soil salinity. Use of nanomaterials such as cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) to improve plant tolerance stress conditions, e.g. salinity, emerged approach in Nevertheless, date, our knowledge about role nanoceria cotton salt response behind mechanisms still rare. Results We found that PNC (poly acrylic acid coated nanoceria) helped showing better phenotypic performance, higher chlorophyll content (up 68% increase) biomass 38% increase), photosynthetic performance carbon assimilation rate 144% treated plants than NNP (non-nanoparticle control) group. Under salinity stress, consistent results enhanced activities antioxidant enzymes, showed significant lower MDA (malondialdehyde, up 44% decrease) reactive oxygen species (ROS) level hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O , 79% control group, both first second true leaves. Further experiments under had cytosolic K + 84% Na 77% fluorescent intensity leaves This further confirmed leaf ion analysis, maintained 63% decrease), thus /Na ratio stress. Whereas no increase mesophyll cell vacuolar was observed suggesting retention exclusion, but not sequestration main improved tolerance. qPCR modulation HKT1 SOS1 refers more exclusion control. Conclusions enable homeostasis Our add for understanding complexity plant-nanoceria interaction terms nano-enabled Graphic abstract