What question did this study set out to answer?

The central aim is to explore how silicon dioxide nanoparticles can restore seed vigor in naturally aged tobacco seeds.

May 19, 2026Open Access

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles promote the seed vigor of naturally aged tobacco seeds by modulating physiological and biochemical responses

Puntos clave

The central aim is to explore how silicon dioxide nanoparticles can restore seed vigor in naturally aged tobacco seeds.
Seeds of Nicotiana tabacum cultivar MSK326 were primed with silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs).
Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were performed to assess physiological and biochemical changes.
Measurements included gene expression related to ROS metabolism and phytohormones, as well as antioxidant enzyme activities.
SiO2 NPs priming significantly enhanced seed germination and seedling establishment in aged tobacco seeds.
Increased endogenous gibberellin (GA) and auxin (IAA) levels were observed post-priming.
Alterations in gene expression correlated with improved redox homeostasis and hormonal balance, indicating enhanced seed vigor.

Resumen

Tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L., cultivar MSK326) seeds after long term storage exhibit reduced seed vigor, leading to impaired seedling establishment and economic losses in tobacco production. Seed priming with nanoparticles serves as a low-cost and environmentally friendly strategy to improve seed performance. In this study, we found that silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO 2 NPs) priming can significantly enhance seed germination and subsequent seedling establishment of severely aged tobacco seeds. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that SiO 2 NPs priming altered the expression of genes involved in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism and phytohormone biosynthesis of severely aged tobacco seeds. Consistent with these transcriptional changes, SiO 2 NPs priming resulted in reduced superoxide anion (O 2 •- ) accumulation, increased hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) levels, and enhanced activities of antioxidant related enzymes in severely aged tobacco seeds. Furthermore, endogenous gibberellin (GA) and auxin (IAA) contents were significantly increased following SiO 2 NPs priming in severely aged tobacco seeds. Interestingly, exogenous GA 3 and IAA can promote the seed vigor of severely aged tobacco seeds. The metabolomic analysis further corroborated the results of physiological and transcriptomic analyses that SiO 2 NPs priming restores the vigor of severely aged tobacco seeds by coordinating redox homeostasis and GA/IAA biosynthesis. Collectively, our results demonstrated the underlying mechanism by which SiO 2 NPs priming revitalizes the seed vigor of severely aged tobacco seeds and also contributes to the understanding of the physiological and molecular mechanism of SiO 2 NPs priming in plants. • Tobacco seeds after long term storage exhibit reduced seed vigor, leading to impaired seedling establishment and economic losses in tobacco production. In our study, we demonstrated that SiO 2 NPs priming can significantly enhance seed germination and subsequent seedling establishment of severely aged tobacco seeds. Further physiological and molecular mechanism revealed that SiO 2 NPs priming restores the seed vigor of severely aged tobacco seeds by coordinating redox homeostasis and GA/IAA biosynthesis. Our study may highlight the potential application of SiO 2 NPs in improving the seed vigor and seedling establishment of naturally aged tobacco seeds.

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