DefinePK

Abstract

Nanotechnology, particularly the application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, holds promising potential in agricultural practices, especially in enhancing crop productivity under water-stress conditions. This study investigates the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on various growth and yield parameters of the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar in Punjab in 2011 under different levels of water stress. TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized chemically by the oxidation of titanium trichloride (TiCl3) and ammonium hydroxide solution (NH4OH), and their SEM (scanning electron microscope) analysis was done for size determination at the University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. They were applied at different concentration levels (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 ppm), with 0 ppm kept as the control level, under 40% and 80% field capacity (F.C). Results reveal that TiO2 nanoparticles significantly improve chlorophyll content, relative water content, chlorophyll stability index, and membrane stability index %, while increasing leaf area, spike length, spikelets per spike, and 100-grain weight. The results exhibited a significant enhancement (p ≤ 0.05) probability level compared to untreated Wheat plants. The optimal concentrations for enhancing growth and yield parameters were 20 and 30 ppm. These findings underscore the potential of TiO2 nanoparticles in mitigating the adverse effects of water stress and improving crop elasticity and productivity in Wheat cultivation.