Effects of Nano Iron-Silicon Oxide on Yield and Some Biochemical and Physiological Characteristics of Triticale Under Salinity Stress

Salinity, as an important abiotic parameter, has a negative influence on crop productivity. The application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and iron-silicon nanoparticles has been found to enhance plant growth and grain yield while also increasing its resistance to abiotic stresses. In this regard, a factorial experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design with three repetitions under greenhouse conditions in 2021. Experimental factors included salinity in three levels (no salinity as control, salinity 35 and 70 mM) by NaCl, four plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria levels (no application as control, application of Azospirilum, Pseudomonas, both application of Azospirilum and Pseudomonas), and nanoparticles foliar application in four levels (foliar application with water as control, nano Fe, nano Si, foliar application of iron-silicon nanoparticles). The findings demonstrated that under salinity 70 mM, chlorophyll index (27.71%), quantum yield (23.8%), relative water content (43.69%) and grain yield (12.83%) increased in the dual application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and nanoparticles foliar application compared to control level (no application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and nanoparticles) in the same salinity level. However, under such conditions, electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content decreased by 38.93%, 35.34% and 35.13%, respectively, in comparison to the lack of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and nanoparticles applications under salinity 70 mM. Also, the usage of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and nanoparticles under 70 mM salinity increased the activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes (42.1% and 73.14%, respectively), as well as proline and soluble sugar content (55.41% and 64.08%, respectively) in comparison to lack of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and nanoparticles applications under non-salinity conditions. According to the results of the current study, the application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and nanoparticles could increase the grain yield of triticale under the highest salinity level due to improving physiological and biochemical traits.