Seed treatment with nitric oxide-releasing nanoparticles: influence on germination and initial development of Tabebuia impetiginosa seedlings under water deficit

• Grant number: 24/14272-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Pant Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Neidiquele Maria Silveira
• Grantee: Caio Vinícius Menele Severino
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10639-5 - Center for Research on Biodiversity Dynamics and Climate Change, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Forest restoration is an important strategy for the recovery of degraded areas; however, its success is hindered by the high seedling mortality after planting. This problem has been amplified by increasingly frequent drought events due to global climate change. Therefore, new strategies and studies that explore plant tolerance mechanisms to water restriction should be encouraged. In this context, nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as an important signaling molecule produced by the plant, which modulates germination and root growth, increasing plant tolerance to stress. NO donors have been used to increase endogenous NO levels in plants and activate responses related to this signaling molecule. Additionally, nanotechnology offers a new and promising way to improve NO delivery to plants, protecting it from rapid degradation and allowing for more controlled release. Thus, this project aims to evaluate the potential of the exogenous application of different encapsulated NO donors, such as S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC), and S-nitroso-mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA), as vigor inducers of native seeds of interest for forest restoration under water deficit conditions. Two experiments will be conducted: in the first, the seeds will be treated with GSNO, MSA, SNAC, and empty nano for 10 minutes. Then, they will be placed on filter paper moistened with water (hydrated treatment) or PEG-8000 solution (water deficit) at a ratio of 2.5 times the weight of the paper. PEG-8000 will be used in concentrations resulting in an osmotic potential of -0.6 MPa. The second experiment will allow understanding the mechanisms and characteristics related to potential drought tolerance in seedlings after seed treatment with different NO donors, verifying antioxidant defense and protein nitrosylation, as well as endogenous NO production. It is envisaged that nanotechnology could represent an advancement in environmental science.