Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Decrease Drought-Induced Oxidative Damage in Sorghum Leading to Higher Photosynthesis and Grain Yield

Abstract

Drought is a major abiotic stress affecting crop growth and yield worldwide. Drought-induced oxidative stress results in the reduction of plant photosynthesis and reproductive success. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) possess potent antioxidant properties that can alleviate drought-induced oxidative stress by catalytic scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby protecting sorghum [<i>Sorghum bicolor</i> (L.) <i>Moench</i>] photosynthesis and grain yield. Drought was imposed at the booting stage by withholding water for 21 d. Foliar-sprayed nanoceria (10 mg L^-1) efficiently reduced leaf superoxide radical (41%) and hydrogen peroxide (36%) levels and decreased cell membrane lipid peroxidation (37%) under drought. Nanoceria increased leaf carbon assimilation rates (38%), pollen germination (31%), and seed yield per plant (31%) in drought-stressed plants relative to water-sprayed controls. Translocation study indicated that nanoceria can move from root to shoot of sorghum plants. Toxicity assays in mammalian cells indicated that nanoceria effective concentration (EC)₅₀ of >250 mg L^-1 is well above the concentration used in this study. Foliar-sprayed nanoceria protect sorghum plants from oxidative damage under drought stress leading to higher grain yield.