Response of Maize Seedlings to Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) under Drought Stress

Recently, the use of nanofertilizers has received a great deal attention in managing plants under biotic and abiotic stresses. However, studies that elucidate role silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) regulating maize tolerance to drought stress are still at early stages development. In this study, were treated with SiO2NPs (0.25 g/L as foliar spray) displayed considerable improvement growth indices, despite being subjected stress. addition, action led rise levels chlorophylls, proline, cell membrane integrity, leaf water content, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (G-POX)). contrast, an inverse trend was seen oxidative injury, total amount soluble sugars, activity ascorbate (APX). At same time, carotenoids unaffected SiO2NPs-treated non-treated The results molecular investigation conducted using qRT-PCR showed relative expression D2 protein photosystem II (PsbD) elevated response stress, while osmotic-like (OSM-34) aquaporin (AQPs) downregulated This research could pave way for further investigations into how boost plant resistance