Impact of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Germination and Antioxidant System of Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedling under Cadmium Stress

Abstract

This work aimed to investigate the impact of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the stress induced by Cadmium (Cd) on grain germination and antioxidant system of Maize (Zea mays L.) seedling. Germination parameters (final germination percentage (FGP), mean daily germination (MDG), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), mean germination time MGT, germination index (GI), germination stress tolerance index (GSI), seedling vigor index (SVI) as well as dry matter stress tolerance index (DMSI)), growth parameters (shoot and root fresh and dry weight), free radicals malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations, superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), glutathione reductases (GR, EC 1.6.4.2), glutathione peroxidase (GPX, EC 1.11.1.9) and catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) activities were investigated. The results indicated that, addition of ZnO-NPs (500 mg L-1) contribute a highly protection from Cd toxicity via decrease Cd concentration, MGT, MDA and promoting induction of MDG, CVG, GSI, SVI and DMSI, as well increasing GSH, SOD, GR, CAT and GPX activities.