The impact of chitosan nanoparticles on seedling and germination attributes and enzymatic activity of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) under osmotic stress

This research was conducted to examine the effects of nano chitosan particles on seed germination and seedling growth of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) under osmotic stress conditions. This experiment was conducted in a factorial layout based on a completely randomized design with two factors and four replications. The experimental factors included: osmotic stress at five levels (0, - 3, - 6, - 9 and - 12 bar) and seed priming with nano chitosan particles at five concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 ppm). The evaluated parameters in this study were alometric traits and enzymatic activities including proline, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and total soluble sugar, as well as the content of chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids. The results indicated the significant effect of most of the studied quantitative and qualitative traits. The highest values of seedling, plumule and radicle length (48.20, 17.79 and 30.15 mm, respectively), and the fresh weight of seedlings and plumule (0.9743 and 0.9192 g, respectively) were observed at a concentration of 200 ppm of chitosan nanoparticles. The highest amount of all studied parameters observed under non-stress conditions (control), and the lowest values of them obtained in - 12 bar of osmotic stress. Furthermore, by increasing of osmotic stress levels, germination percentage and rate and seed vigor showed a decreasing trend about 56, 83 and 95% compared to the control. Besed on the interaction effects, the maximum values of seedling and plumule length were achieved with the application of 200 ppm chitosan nanoparticles in combination with no osmotic stress. Under non-osmotic conditions, concentrations of 300, 100, and 200 ppm chitosan led to the highest values of germination percentage and rate and seed vigor, respectively. Additionally, the highest percentage of normal seedlings (94%) and the lowest percentage of abnormal seedlings (zero) were obtained under the application of 200 ppm of nano chitosan and no osmotic stress. In relation to qualitative traits, the lowest values of soluble sugar and proline were obtained at the osmotic level of - 12 bar. Moreover, the application of 200 ppm of nano chitosan and - 6 bar of osmotic stress resulted in the highest levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids. As a whole, the results of the study demonstrated that seed priming with chitosan nanoparticles can reduce the negative effects of drought stress on guar seedlings. In addition, application of 200 ppm of this substance was the most suitable treatments that improve most quantitative and qualitative indices of guar.