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Explora: Environment
and Resource ZnO and TiO nanoparticles and its impact on chickpeas
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biomass accumulation, suggesting its potential as a seed influence the effects of nanoparticles on chlorophyll
treatment to enhance crop productivity. The application of content. 21
nanoparticles, especially TiO , holds promise for improving
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the growth and biomass production of chickpeas cultivars, 3.4.2. Carotenoids
which could have significant implications for agricultural Carotenoids play a crucial role in photoprotection and
productivity and sustainability. light harvesting during photosynthesis. 12,22 Increased
carotenoid content indicates enhanced photoprotection
3.4. Biochemical changes against excess light and oxidative stress, which can
3.4.1. Chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll contribute to improved plant resilience and productivity.
Carotenoids facilitate chlorophyll in absorbing light
Chlorophyll pigments play an important role in energy and offer photoprotection by releasing excess
photosynthesis in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. It is energy as heat. In addition, they aid in the scavenging of
essential for turning light energy into chemical energy, reactive oxygen species (ROS), protecting the plant from
which enables plants to make oxygen and glucose. oxidative damage caused by stressors, such as temperature.
Photosynthesis and life on Earth would not be possible In the present study, the highest carotenoid content was
without chlorophyll. Therefore, analyzing chlorophyll noted in T3, followed by T5, compared to the control.
pigments in plants can provide valuable insights into the Carotenoid content increased with plant age, with higher
plant’s physiology. In this study, the applied nanoparticles, levels observed at 20 DAG compared to 10 DAG across
ZnO and TiO , increased the chlorophyll content in all treatments (Figure 4). Generally, the application of
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chickpeas cultivars (Figure 4). ZnO nanoparticles nanoparticles enhances carotenoid production in plant cells
enhanced chlorophyll synthesis, leading to increased and helps improve plant health. However, understanding
chlorophyll a and b content. Similarly, TiO nanoparticles the role of different nanoparticles and their mechanisms
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stimulated chlorophyll biosynthesis pathways, resulting in in plant cell environments will be a helpful tool for future
higher levels of chlorophyll a and b. The total chlorophyll research.
content, representing the sum of chlorophyll a and b,
showed a significant increase when plants were treated 3.4.3. Ascorbic acid
with nanoparticles. Higher chlorophyll content suggests Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble antioxidant that scavenges
improved photosynthetic capacity and light absorption, ROS and protects cells from oxidative damage. The
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which can positively influence plant growth and biomass present study demonstrates elevated levels of ascorbic
accumulation. 4,11 acid in nanoparticle-treated chickpeas cultivar,
In the present study, higher chlorophyll contents were indicating enhanced antioxidant defense mechanisms.
seen in the 50 ppm TiO -treated cultivars, while ZnO- Ascorbic acid helps to neutralize ROS generated during
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treated cultivars showed the least increment of chlorophyll stress conditions, such as high light intensity or drought,
content compared to the control. Chlorophyll a, b, and thereby protecting cellular structures and maintaining
total chlorophyll content increased with plant age, with physiological functions. The presence of increased
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higher levels observed at 20 DAG than at 10 DAG across levels of ascorbic acid contributes to improved stress
all treatments (Figure 4). The application of selected tolerance and overall plant health in nanoparticle-treated
nanoparticles positively impacted chlorophyll pigment chickpeas cultivars. It scavenges ROS and protects
levels. The findings suggest that the enhanced chlorophyll cellular components from damage, thereby maintaining
pigment in plants, resulting from nanoparticle treatment, cell integrity and function. Elevated levels of ascorbic
improved overall plant growth. Plant chlorophyll may acid indicate improved antioxidant defense mechanisms
be complexly affected by nanoparticles, increasing or in the plant, which can enhance stress tolerance and
decreasing its content and affecting photosynthesis. overall plant health. In the present study, ZnO and
By boosting ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ TiO nanoparticle treatments enhance photosynthetic
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oxygenase activity and photosystem II efficiency, certain pigments (chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids) and
nanoparticles, such as TiO and mesoporous silica, can antioxidant compounds (ascorbic acid). These changes
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promote photosynthesis and raise chlorophyll content. collectively contribute to improved photosynthetic
Other nanoparticles, including superparamagnetic iron efficiency, photoprotection, and stress tolerance,
nanoparticles, can have a detrimental effect on the amount ultimately leading to enhanced growth and biomass
of chlorophyll and the effectiveness of photosystem II, production in selected cultivars. Consistently, the highest
which could result in less photosynthesis. The type of ascorbic acid was noted in 50 ppm TiO (3.95 mg/g fresh
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nanoparticle, its size, concentration, and the type of plant leaf) treatment, while 25 ppm ZnO (2.45 mg/g fresh leaf)

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 7 doi: 10.36922/EER025120024