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Foliar application of chitosan-silicon nanoparticles and salicylic acid enhances salinity tolerance and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under field conditions
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Foliar application of chitosan-silicon nanoparticles and salicylic acid enhances salinity tolerance and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under field conditions

El-Sayed M Desoky, Mohammed S Alotaibi, Mohamed T El-Saadony, Mohammad A A Al-Najjar, Fardous I Alhashmi, Betty T Mathew, Khaled A El-Tarabily, Synan F AbuQamar and Mostafa M Rady
BMC plant biology, Vol.26(1), 1085
2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-026-09248-5
PMID: 42332541
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Published2.41 MBDownloadView
Open Access CC BY-NC-ND V4.0

Abstract

Antioxidants - metabolism Chitosan - administration & dosage Chitosan - pharmacology Nanoparticles - administration & dosage Oxidative Stress - drug effects Phaseolus - drug effects Phaseolus - growth & development Phaseolus - physiology Photosynthesis - drug effects Plant Leaves - drug effects Salicylic Acid - administration & dosage Salicylic Acid - pharmacology Salt Tolerance - drug effects Silicon - administration & dosage Silicon - pharmacology
Salinity stress restricts the growth and productivity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a salt-sensitive legume. This study evaluated the foliar application of nanoparticle (NP) formulations to alleviate salt stress under moderate soil salinity (EC 7.71-7.83 dS m⁻¹). A two-season field experiment tested foliar sprays with salicylic acid (SA), silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs), chitosan nanoparticles (Ch-NPs), chitosan-silicon nanoparticles [Ch-Si (NPs)], and Ch-Si (NPs) + SA. Growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzyme activities, osmoprotectants, nutrient content, and pod yield were measured. Salinity stress reduced plant growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and nutrient balance while increasing oxidative damage. All treatments mitigated these effects, with Ch-Si (NPs) + SA showing the greatest improvement. Compared with the saline control, this treatment increased shoot dry weight and green pod yield by approximately twofold and enhanced net photosynthetic rate by about 40%. Leaf K⁺/Na⁺ ratios increased by 113.9%-126.3%, while Na⁺ content decreased by 37.2%-39.9%, electrolyte leakage by 44.7%-46.7%, and malondialdehyde by 55.8%-59.0% across both seasons. Ch-Si (NPs) + SA also increased activities of enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase) and levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (proline, ascorbate, glutathione, α-tocopherol) compared with the control. Foliar application of Ch-Si (NPs) + SA was associated with improved physiological performance, oxidative balance, and yield of common bean grown under saline field conditions. This combination may offer a promising biostimulant strategy for legume production in salt-affected soils, though further research is needed to establish broader applicability and long-term effects.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#12 Responsible Consumption & Production

Source: SDGs in the Output

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