Combined Effect of Manganese, Copper, and Zinc Nanoparticles on the Growth Processes and Photosynthetic Parameters of Barley Plants Under Conditions of Insufficient Moisture

The influence of manganese, copper, and zinc nanoparticles on the development and productivity of spring barley plants was studied when modeling water scarcity in the tillering and earing phases as one of the limiting environmental factors. A preliminary selection of optimal concentrations of nanoparticles for pre-sowing seed treatment was studied on leaded seedlings. The cultivation of the plant to the phase of waxy ripeness of grain and the experiment with drought were carried out in a closed system with a controlled microclimate. The crop structure, plant height, root system length, and photosynthetic pigment content were determined. It was shown that at the germination stage, the effect depended on the concentrations of metal nanoparticles, and the selected concentration increased the quantitative parameters of the seedlings during processing. The sensitivity of barley to different types of drought was different, and maximum productivity losses were noted when there was a lack of water during the tillering period. Nanoparticle composition treatment enhanced adaptation to stress and improved photosynthesis parameters. Thus, the use of the selected nanoparticle composition can potentially increase productivity under stressful conditions and is recommended for further production tests in the field.

spring barley, drought, pre-sowing treatment, nanoparticles, manganese, zinc, copper, stress resistance