Melatonin-functionalized silver nanoparticles enhance salinity tolerance in Brassica juncea by modulating antioxidant defence and growth physiology

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Plant Nano Biology

Publication Date

8-1-2026

Abstract

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that severely limits plant growth and productivity by inducing osmotic stress, oxidative damage, and ionic imbalances. The present study evaluated the potential of melatonin-mediated silver nanoparticles (Mel AgNPs) to enhance salinity stress tolerance in Brassica juncea. Pot experiments were conducted using 21-day-old plants exposed to salinity stress and treated with Mel AgNPs at different concentrations (50 and 100 mg L⁻¹) through both root application and foliar spray. Morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses were assessed 48 h after nanoparticle exposure. Salinity stress markedly increased lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide accumulation while suppressing antioxidant defence. In contrast, Mel AgNPs treatment significantly reduced malondialdehyde and H2O2 levels and enhanced the activities of key antioxidant enzymes, indicating effective mitigation of oxidative stress. Improved morpho-physiological performance further confirmed the protective role of Mel AgNPs under saline conditions. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Mel AgNP can effectively enhance salinity tolerance in B. juncea by strengthening antioxidant defence mechanisms and reducing stress-induced cellular damage, highlighting their potential as a sustainable strategy for improving crop resilience under saline environments.

ISSN

2773-1111

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Volume

17

Disciplines

Life Sciences

Keywords

Antioxidant assays, Melatonin-silver nanoparticles, Salinity, Stress markers, Sustainable agriculture

Scopus ID

105042082231

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series

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