Abstract
In many countries, salinity is one of the most concerning problems causing severe losses in economic crops. Herein, nanoparticles from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) waste were prepared using ball-milling techniques. The impact of these nanoparticles on pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings was studied by evaluating their growth and biochemical parameters under different salinity levels. The results indicated that treating the pea seedlings with the nanoparticles markedly increased various plant growth parameters. There was a significant association between the ATPase activity and the gene expression of 49 kDa apyrase in the shoot system. The findings also showed that the application of the nanoparticles of sugarcane waste significantly increased the germination rate to 1.96% more than that of the control and that of stressed seedlings between (12.4% and 50%). The fresh weight of the root and shoot systems increased by (24.3%) and (13.4%), respectively. The dry weight of the root and shoot systems increased by (12.7%) and (10.4%), respectively. The root and shoot lengths increased by (5.39%) and (18.29%), respectively. The protein content in the roots and shoots increased by (8.48%) and (10.9%), respectively. The amino acid content in the roots and shoots increased by (34.89%) and (41.18%), respectively. The carbohydrate content in the roots and shoots increased by (30.81%) and (7.75%), respectively, compared with that in the control. The ATPase and amount of 49 kDa were enhanced in the shoots by (32.88% to 30.12%) than those in the control. Applying the nanoparticles to the stressed pea seedlings using 50 mM to 200 mM NaCl could enhance the fresh weight of the root and shoot systems by (1.03% to 16.7%) and (3.70% to 9.11%), respectively; the thy weight of the root and shoot systems by (8.47% to 27.9%) and (1.15% to 45.03%), respectively; the root and shoot lengths by (12.23% to 24.4%) and (5.39% to 10.0%), respectively; the protein content in the root and shoot systems by (0.64% to 9.41%) and (0.92% to 1.20%), respectively; the amino acid content in the root and shoot systems by (0.13% to 3.17%) and (13.9% to 0.125%), respectively; and the carbohydrate content in the root and shoot systems by (4.42% to 1.60%) and (6.28% to 3.20%), respectively. The ATPase activity and the gene expression of 49 kDa apyrase were enhanced in the shoot systems by (1.92% to 4.03%) and (1.94% to 6.77%) than those in the stressed seedlings. Therefore, these nanoparticles. which were prepared from sugarcane waste, could be applied as a promising natural organic bio-fertilizer to combat the saline effect of agricultural lands, which hinders seedling development.