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Abstract

Food security is threatened by drought stress globally, which significantly impacts crop growth and yield, including pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants. This study investigates the effects of variously applied Chitosan Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (CHT-ZnO NPs) on pea plants grown in pots under drought stress. The present study evaluated the impact of chitosan-zinc oxide nanoparticles (CHT-ZnO NPs; 6.5, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 ppm) applied via three different modes like foliar (leaf spray), soil, and combined foliar + soil, under three irrigation regimes (80%, 60%, and 40% field capacity (FC) on growth attributes and yield of Pisum sativum L. cv. Meteor. Growth and yield parameters were measured, which included length, fresh weight, dry weight of both shoot and root leaf number/plant, total number of seeds/pod, and weight of seeds/plant to evaluate the mode-dependent effectiveness of treatments. Results of the study indicated a significant decrease in mentioned parameters under drought conditions. However, the foliar application of treatments significantly improved the growth and yield of pea in comparison with combined (foliar + soil) and soil-applied treatments. Foliar application of 200 and 400 ppm of chitosan zinc oxide nanoparticles significantly increased growth and yield under both levels of water stress (60% FC and 40% FC). This study highlights the potential of 200 and 400 ppm of CHT-ZnO NPs as an effective treatment to enhance drought tolerance in pea plants, with foliar application emerging as the most effective mode for improving growth and yield under drought.

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