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This research investigates how metal nanoparticles influence soybean growth, nitrogen metabolism, and stress responses to enhance yield and seed quality.

May 8, 2026Open Access

Metal nanoparticles enhance ROS scavenging, nitrogen metabolism, and stress-responsive pathways to improve soybean yield and seed quality

Puntos clave

This research investigates how metal nanoparticles influence soybean growth, nitrogen metabolism, and stress responses to enhance yield and seed quality.
Field-relevant conditions were used to test gold, silver, zinc oxide, and copper nanoparticles on soybean.
Effects on vegetative growth, nitrogen assimilation, and antioxidant activities were measured and compared among nanoparticle types.
Biochemical and physiological metrics were assessed to determine impacts on yield components and seed composition.
Copper nanoparticles increased shoot biomass by 25% and root biomass by 48%.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles improved root elongation by 28% and enhanced yield components by 52%.
Both copper and zinc oxide nanoparticles significantly elevated antioxidant enzyme activities and improved nitrogen metabolism.

Resumen

Gold (Au)-nanoparticles (NPs), silver (Ag)-NPs, zinc oxide (ZnO)-NPs, and copper (Cu)-NPs were tested under field-relevant conditions to dissect their functional roles in soybean growth regulation, nitrogen assimilation, stress defense and seed metabolite composition. NPs accelerated vegetative development, enhanced photosynthetic performance, biomass increase and root-shoot integration. Cu-NPs produced the strongest effects, increasing shoot and root biomass by +25% and +48%, respectively, while ZnO-NPs promoted root elongation (+28%). Reinforcement of nitrogen metabolism was observed in case of Cu-NPs via increased nodulation and ureide accumulation. Cu-NPs and ZnO-NPs enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and defense-related enzymes, coupled with transcriptional upregulation of stress-responsive genes. Yield components (grain number, 100-seed weight) improved in parallel with metabolic reprogramming, with ZnO-NPs achieving the highest enhancement (+52%). NP application also optimized protein storage, amino acid and fatty acid composition, and micronutrient allocation, establishing the possibility of a direct interaction of nanoparticles with the seed metabolism. However, the impacts of Au-NPs and Ag-NPs were not prominent as compared to Cu-NPs and ZnO-NPs. Our findings identify Cu-NPs and ZnO-NPs as biostimulants that integrate biochemical, physiological, and genetic processes to improve growth and yield in soybean. • Nanoparticle treatments modulated soybean growth and metabolism under field-relevant conditions. • Copper and zinc oxide nanoparticles enhanced photosynthesis, biomass accumulation, and root-shoot development more effectively than silver and gold nanoparticles. • Copper nanoparticles significantly boosted nodulation and nitrogen assimilation efficiency compared to other nanoparticles. • Zinc oxide and copper nanoparticles activated antioxidant and defense-related gene expression. • Nanoparticle application improved yield, seed composition, and overall nutritional quality.

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