Amino-functionalized SiO2 microbeads optimize photosynthetic performance, gene expression, ROS production and antioxidant status in chromium and copper-exposed Zea mays

The objective of the current study was to assess the potential of the amino-functionalized SiO2 microbeads (S) in improving the tolerance of maize to chromium and/or copper toxicity. For this purpose, Zea mays L. cv. DKC5685 was grown by exposure at different S concentrations (100-500 mg L-1) alone and with 200 mu M chromium (Cr stress) and 100 mu M copper (Cu stress) for 7 days. The photosynthesis-related parameters (Fv/Fm, Fv/Fo), relative growth rate (RGR), and relative water content (RWC) levels were suppressed under Cr and/or Cu stresses. In addition, stress altered antioxidant activities and gas exchange parameters. S applications abolished the negative impacts of stress on the physiological state of the photosynthetic system, potential photochemical efficiency and chlorophyll fluorescence. S increased the performance index by reversing the detrimental effects on the electron flow rate through the PSII electron transport flux and electron transfer from the decreased plastoquinone pool to the PSI reaction center. Following exposure to S, the effects of stress on photosystem I-associated reaction center proteins were rearranged by induced expression levels of PsaA and PsaB genes. S treatments had potent ROS scavengers in maize leaves. In the Cr+S groups, the AsA-GSH cycle was regulated by increasing the activities of all the responsible enzymes mentioned above, such as SOD, CAT, APX and GR, and the accumulation of H2O2 and TBARS effectively removed. CAT and POX activities in Cu+S groups were not effective in these adjustments. In Cr+Cu+S applications, although H2O2 and TBARS contents were reduced as evidenced by ROS visualization using fluorescence of dye, AsA regeneration could not be achieved, and low tAsA/DHA levels were detected. Our results show that amino-functionalized SiO2 microbeads have significant promise to offer resistance to maize by minimizing oxidative damage brought on by heavy metal uptake and preserving the metabolic processes involved in photosynthesis.