Abstract Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) is a serious viral pathogen of wheat and a major threat to global food security. Infection of susceptible plants triggers oxidative stress and disrupts physiological and biochemical homeostasis, resulting in substantial yield losses. Since chemical control of viral diseases is ineffective, biologically based resistance inducers represent a promising alternative for sustainable crop protection. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a liposomal bionanocomposite (BNC) based on a glycan–rhamnolipid complex as a seed treatment for enhancing the resistance of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) to WSMV through modulation of antioxidant defenses and physiological responses. Wheat plants (cv. Zymoyarka) grown from BNC-treated seeds were assessed under mock- and virus-inoculated conditions. Analyses included viral titer dynamics (DAS-ELISA), indicators of redox homeostasis (H 2 O 2 , MDA), activities of antioxidant and stress-related enzymes (SOD, CAT, PAL), ethylene emission, chlorophyll content, and gas exchange parameters. Pre-sowing seed treatment with BNC resulted in a moderate reduction of WSMV accumulation, which was statistically significant at 14 days post-inoculation (16.02%). BNC treatment also mitigated oxidative stress by lowering MDA levels and modulating H 2 O 2 dynamics compared to infected untreated plants. In virus-infected plants, it enhanced SOD and PAL activities, stabilized CAT responses, reduced ethylene overproduction, and partially restored chlorophyll content and photosynthetic performance. These results indicate that BNC-induced activation of antioxidant and stress-protective mechanisms improves the physiological resilience of wheat during WSMV infection and supports the potential of this biotechnological approach as a component of integrated crop protection against viral diseases. Key points • BNC stimulates antioxidant enzymes and modulates wheat redox homeostasis. • Eco-friendly BNC offers a sustainable strategy for managing viral diseases. • BNC induces systemic, pre-adaptive metabolic adjustments. Graphical abstract
Nyzhnyk et al. (Fri,) studied this question.