Date of Defense
4-6-2025 12:00 PM
Location
F1- 2120
Document Type
Thesis Defense
Degree Name
Master of Science in Horticulture
College
CVAM
Department
Integrative Agriculture
First Advisor
Dr. Mohammed Alyafei
Keywords
Sporobolus virginicus, Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs), Climate change, Elevated CO₂, UV-B radiation, Photosynthetic efficiency, Antioxidant enzymes, Oxidative stress.
Abstract
This study looked at how silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs; 50 mg/L) affected the growth and health of Sporobolus virginicus in four different environments: normal conditions, high CO₂, UV-B radiation, and a mix of high CO₂ and UV-B. Plants treated with SiNPs showed much better growth, with more biomass, larger leaves, and better root development, regardless of what stress condition they faced (Ahmad et al., 2024). Additionally, SiNPs improved photosynthetic efficiency, as evidenced by increased levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids. SiNP application also reduced oxidative stress by lowering malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms through the elevated activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) enzymes (Wang et al., 2022). The biggest improvements in growth and plant health were seen with the treatment that combined SiNP, CO₂, and UV-B, showing that these elements work together to boost the plant's ability to handle stress. These findings support the hypothesis that SiNPs promote plant growth and photosynthetic function and offer significant protection against abiotic stressors. This research helps us better understand how salt-loving plants like S. virginicus can adjust to climate challenges, and it indicates that SiNPs could be a useful and eco-friendly way to strengthen coastal plants and support ecosystem stability (Ma et al., 2021).
Included in
EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF CO₂ AND UV-B ON SPOROBOLUS VIRGINICUS (L.) KUNTH GROWTH UNDER OPEN TOP CHAMBER: A COMPARISON OF SILICON NANOPARTICLE-TREATED AND UNTREATED PLANTS
F1- 2120
This study looked at how silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs; 50 mg/L) affected the growth and health of Sporobolus virginicus in four different environments: normal conditions, high CO₂, UV-B radiation, and a mix of high CO₂ and UV-B. Plants treated with SiNPs showed much better growth, with more biomass, larger leaves, and better root development, regardless of what stress condition they faced (Ahmad et al., 2024). Additionally, SiNPs improved photosynthetic efficiency, as evidenced by increased levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids. SiNP application also reduced oxidative stress by lowering malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms through the elevated activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) enzymes (Wang et al., 2022). The biggest improvements in growth and plant health were seen with the treatment that combined SiNP, CO₂, and UV-B, showing that these elements work together to boost the plant's ability to handle stress. These findings support the hypothesis that SiNPs promote plant growth and photosynthetic function and offer significant protection against abiotic stressors. This research helps us better understand how salt-loving plants like S. virginicus can adjust to climate challenges, and it indicates that SiNPs could be a useful and eco-friendly way to strengthen coastal plants and support ecosystem stability (Ma et al., 2021).