Growth, metal partitioning and antioxidant enzyme activities of mung beans as influenced by zinc oxide nanoparticles under cadmium stress

Context Cadmium (Cd) toxicity and zinc (Zn) deficiency are of major concerns for crop growth quality. Moreover, their interactive effects exert some controversial reports. Aims The oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) Cd on growth, physiology, metal distribution in mung beans (Vigna radiata L.) was investigated. Methods Seven-day-old seedlings were treated with Zn (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 32 μM) 0.5, 1 14 days. Key results Photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzyme activities, dry matter yield concentration tissues significantly influenced by ZnO NPs Cd. Considered its own as a main effect, application (16 enhanced accumulation roots, stem leaf about 33-fold (314 mg kg−1), 10-fold (60.6 kg−1) 17-fold (110.8 respectively, compared to control. However, slower interactions While increased approximately 27 times (180 at μM Zn, lower higher only 6-fold (41.2 3-fold (21.4 respectively. Added up 4 under contamination elevated the Cd, which restricted supply. root consistently rose, indicating synergistic effect. induced an upregulation enzymes avert oxidative stress maintain performance. Implications These findings may be suitable formulating nanomaterials desired particle sizes testing other remediate