Enhancing maize stress tolerance with nickel ferrite nanoparticles: a sustainable approach to combat abiotic stresses

The use of nanotechnology to pre-treat crop seeds through seed treatments for enhancing their resistance to abiotic stresses is a promising and sustainable approach. This study demonstrates for the first time the potential of nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) nanoparticles (NPs) in improving the tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.) exposed to drought and salt stress conditions. This study fills the current gap in understanding whether metal ferrite nanoparticles can mitigate abiotic stresses in crops, especially under hydric and saline stress. In this study, NiFe₂O₄ NPs were used as seed pretreatments to enhance the resistance of maize (Zea mays L.) experiencing drought and salt stress. We conducted a 7 day germination experiment and a 3-week seedling growth experiment to assess the impact of NiFe₂O₄ NPs on key growth parameters such as seed germination, seedling vigor, root and shoot length, and biomass accumulation. The findings indicated that under drought conditions, 40 mg L⁻¹ NiFe₂O₄ NPs was the most effective concentration, leading to a substantial increase in the germination rate by 90%. Under salt stress, 20 mg L⁻¹ was the optimal concentration, which resulted in a significant increase in seedling vigor by 521%, shoot length by 177%, and so on. In addition, NiFe₂O₄ NPs exhibited peroxidase (POD)-like activity, which could increase the antioxidant capacity of maize seedlings, thereby enhancing their stress tolerance. These results offer a theoretical foundation for the use of NiFe₂O₄ NPs in agricultural practices and highlight their unique potential for promoting plant resistance and sustainable agricultural practices. Although these results are promising, extensive research is needed to comprehensively elucidate the mechanisms through which NiFe₂O₄ NPs enhance stress tolerance. Future research should explore the prolonged effects of NiFe₂O₄ NPs on the growth of plants and yield, their potential environmental impacts, and their broader applicability. In addition, there is still a need to explore the interplay between NiFe₂O₄ NPs and other biotic or abiotic factors to optimize their application in agricultural systems.