THE REPAIR EFFECTS OF CERIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES ON ENHANCED UV-B RADIATION IN MUNG BEAN (VIGNA RADIATA) SEEDLING ROOTS

Recently, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) have attracted much attention for their ability to enhance the resistance of plants to withstand multiple abiotic stress such as high salinity and drought. However, few studies have shown whether CeO2-NPs can enhance plant resistance under UV-B radiation. In this study, mung bean (Vigna radiata) seedlings were selected as the research objects to investigate the effects of CeO2-NPs application on their growth and development, as well as physiological and biochemical indicators. Furthermore, the repair effects of CeO2-NPs against UV-B radiation damage of mung bean seedlings had been elaborated in terms of morphology, physiology, biochemistry, cell and molecule. The findings of the study indicated that CeO2-NPs could reduce membrane damage and oxidative damage of taproots under enhanced UV-B radiation, regulate auxin and cytokinin-associated genes, decrease amylase activity and increase starch content. Enhanced UV-B radiation-induced curvature of mung bean taproot was repaired to some extent and the response of taproot to gravity was restored. Thus, CeO2-NPs could enhance the stress resistance for taproots of mung bean seedlings. These results provide a new way to reduce UV-B stress.