Chitosan-GSNO nanoparticles: a positive modulator of drought stress tolerance in soybean.
Nusrat Jahan Methela, Anjali Pande, Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, Waqas Rahim, Adil Hussain, Da-Sol Lee, Bong-Gyu Mun, Nirmal Prashanth Maria Joseph Raj, Sang-Jae Kim, Yoonha Kim, Byung-Wook Yun
Author Information
Nusrat Jahan Methela: Department of Applied Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
Anjali Pande: Department of Applied Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
Mohammad Shafiqul Islam: Department of Applied Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
Waqas Rahim: Department of Applied Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
Adil Hussain: Department of Applied Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea. adilhussain@awkum.edu.pk.
Da-Sol Lee: Department of Applied Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
Bong-Gyu Mun: Department of Applied Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
Nirmal Prashanth Maria Joseph Raj: Nanomaterials and Systems Lab, Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Applied Energy System, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, South Korea.
Sang-Jae Kim: Nanomaterials and Systems Lab, Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Applied Energy System, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, South Korea.
Yoonha Kim: Department of Applied Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
Byung-Wook Yun: Department of Applied Biosciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea. bwyun@knu.ac.kr.
BACKGROUND: Chitosan biopolymer is an emerging non-toxic and biodegradable plant elicitor or bio-stimulant. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have been used for the enhancement of plant growth and development. On the other hand, NO is an important signaling molecule that regulates several aspects of plant physiology under normal and stress conditions. Here we report the synthesis, characterization, and use of chitosan-GSNO nanoparticles for improving drought stress tolerance in soybean. RESULTS: The CSGSNONPs released NO gas for a significantly longer period and at a much lower rate as compared to free GSNO indicating that incorporation of GSNO in CSNPs can protect the NO-donor from rapid decomposition and ensure optimal NO release. CS-GSNONPs improved drought tolerance in soybean plants reflected by a significant increase in plant height, biomass, root length, root volume, root surface area, number of root tips, forks, and nodules. Further analyses indicated significantly lower electrolyte leakage, higher proline content, higher catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase activity, and reduction in MDA and HO contents after treatment with 50 μM CS-GSNONPs under drought stress conditions. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that CS-GSNONPs protected against drought-induced stress by regulating the expression of drought stress-related marker genes such as GmDREB1a, GmP5CS, GmDEFENSIN, and NO-related genes GmGSNOR1 and GmNOX1. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential of nano-technology-based delivery systems for nitric oxide donors to improve plant growth, and development and protect against stresses.
