Microbial Silver Nanoparticles Enhance the Performance of Maize Plants Cultivated in Naturally Occurring Saline Soil

Autores
Martínez, Fernando Gabriel; Paterlini, Paula; Rasuk, Maria Cecilia; Prado, Carolina; Viruel, Emilce; Romero, Cintia Mariana; Alvarez, Analía
Año de publicación
2026
Idioma
inglés
Tipo de recurso
artículo
Estado
versión publicada
Descripción
Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that limits agricultural productivity worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can mitigate salt stress in maize while preserving soil biological health under realistic soil conditions. Biogenic AgNPs were synthesized using biomolecules from the actinobacterium Streptomyces sp. Z38 and characterized, confirming spherical morphology, colloidal stability, and surface functionalization. Maize plants grown under greenhouse conditions were treated with biogenic or chemically synthesized AgNPs, and plant performance, oxidative stress responses, and soil biological properties were evaluated. Under saline conditions (6 mS cm−1), biogenic AgNPs markedly improved plant growth, almost fully restoring leaf dry weight (165.08 ± 23.68 mg) to values comparable with non-saline controls (171.81 ± 15.00 mg), while chemical AgNPs induced only partial recovery. Biogenic AgNPs also enhanced antioxidant defenses, increasing catalase activity by ~15% above non-saline levels and reducing lipid peroxidation from 232.34 ± 31.74 to 102.63 ± 5.75 Eq. MDA g−1. In parallel, chlorophyll a content increased by ~29% relative to non-saline plants, indicating improved photosynthetic performance. Transmission electron microscopy of leaves confirmed AgNPs internalization, with nanoparticles primarily sequestered in vacuoles. Analyses of experimental soils showed that biogenic AgNPs enhanced microbial enzymatic activity and respiration, while chemical AgNPs had inhibitory effects. Ecotoxicological assays further indicated low soil toxicity following biogenic AgNPs plant treatment, as reflected by high lettuce germination rates. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of biogenic AgNPs obtained from actinobacteria as sustainable nanobiotechnological tools to mitigate salt stress in crops while improving soil health. Future field-scale studies will be required to validate their agronomic applicability.
Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido
Fil: Martínez, Fernando Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina
Fil: Martínez, Fernando Gabriel. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Farmacoquímica; Argentina
Fil: Paterlini, Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina
Fil: Rasuk, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina
Fil: Prado, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina
Fil: Prado, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal; Argentina
Fil: Prado, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal; Argentina
Fil: Viruel, Emilce. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; Argentina
Fil: Romero, Cintia Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina
Fil: Romero, Cintia Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina
Fil: Alvarez, Analía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina
Fil: Alvarez, Analía. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina
Fuente
Plants 15 (4) : 524. (February 2026)
Materia
Estrés Abiótico
Nanopartículas de Plata
Maíz
Suelo Salino
Abiotic Stress
Silver Nanoparticles
Maize
Saline Soils
Streptomyces
Nivel de accesibilidad
acceso abierto
Condiciones de uso
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
Repositorio
INTA Digital (INTA)
Institución
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
OAI Identificador
oai:localhost:20.500.12123/25192
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spelling Microbial Silver Nanoparticles Enhance the Performance of Maize Plants Cultivated in Naturally Occurring Saline SoilMartínez, Fernando GabrielPaterlini, PaulaRasuk, Maria CeciliaPrado, CarolinaViruel, EmilceRomero, Cintia MarianaAlvarez, AnalíaEstrés AbióticoNanopartículas de PlataMaízSuelo SalinoAbiotic StressSilver NanoparticlesMaizeSaline SoilsStreptomycesSoil salinity is a major abiotic stress that limits agricultural productivity worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can mitigate salt stress in maize while preserving soil biological health under realistic soil conditions. Biogenic AgNPs were synthesized using biomolecules from the actinobacterium Streptomyces sp. Z38 and characterized, confirming spherical morphology, colloidal stability, and surface functionalization. Maize plants grown under greenhouse conditions were treated with biogenic or chemically synthesized AgNPs, and plant performance, oxidative stress responses, and soil biological properties were evaluated. Under saline conditions (6 mS cm−1), biogenic AgNPs markedly improved plant growth, almost fully restoring leaf dry weight (165.08 ± 23.68 mg) to values comparable with non-saline controls (171.81 ± 15.00 mg), while chemical AgNPs induced only partial recovery. Biogenic AgNPs also enhanced antioxidant defenses, increasing catalase activity by ~15% above non-saline levels and reducing lipid peroxidation from 232.34 ± 31.74 to 102.63 ± 5.75 Eq. MDA g−1. In parallel, chlorophyll a content increased by ~29% relative to non-saline plants, indicating improved photosynthetic performance. Transmission electron microscopy of leaves confirmed AgNPs internalization, with nanoparticles primarily sequestered in vacuoles. Analyses of experimental soils showed that biogenic AgNPs enhanced microbial enzymatic activity and respiration, while chemical AgNPs had inhibitory effects. Ecotoxicological assays further indicated low soil toxicity following biogenic AgNPs plant treatment, as reflected by high lettuce germination rates. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of biogenic AgNPs obtained from actinobacteria as sustainable nanobiotechnological tools to mitigate salt stress in crops while improving soil health. Future field-scale studies will be required to validate their agronomic applicability.Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco SemiáridoFil: Martínez, Fernando Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Fernando Gabriel. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Farmacoquímica; ArgentinaFil: Paterlini, Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Rasuk, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Prado, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Prado, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Prado, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Viruel, Emilce. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Cintia Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Cintia Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Analía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Analía. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaMDPI2026-02-12T14:32:32Z2026-02-12T14:32:32Z2026-02info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501info:ar-repo/semantics/articuloapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/25192https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/15/4/5242223-7747https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040524Plants 15 (4) : 524. (February 2026)reponame:INTA Digital (INTA)instname:Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuariaenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)2026-02-26T11:47:42Zoai:localhost:20.500.12123/25192instacron:INTAInstitucionalhttp://repositorio.inta.gob.ar/Organismo científico-tecnológicoNo correspondehttp://repositorio.inta.gob.ar/oai/requesttripaldi.nicolas@inta.gob.arArgentinaNo correspondeNo correspondeNo correspondeopendoar:l2026-02-26 11:47:42.541INTA Digital (INTA) - Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuariafalse
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Microbial Silver Nanoparticles Enhance the Performance of Maize Plants Cultivated in Naturally Occurring Saline Soil
title Microbial Silver Nanoparticles Enhance the Performance of Maize Plants Cultivated in Naturally Occurring Saline Soil
spellingShingle Microbial Silver Nanoparticles Enhance the Performance of Maize Plants Cultivated in Naturally Occurring Saline Soil
Martínez, Fernando Gabriel
Estrés Abiótico
Nanopartículas de Plata
Maíz
Suelo Salino
Abiotic Stress
Silver Nanoparticles
Maize
Saline Soils
Streptomyces
title_short Microbial Silver Nanoparticles Enhance the Performance of Maize Plants Cultivated in Naturally Occurring Saline Soil
title_full Microbial Silver Nanoparticles Enhance the Performance of Maize Plants Cultivated in Naturally Occurring Saline Soil
title_fullStr Microbial Silver Nanoparticles Enhance the Performance of Maize Plants Cultivated in Naturally Occurring Saline Soil
title_full_unstemmed Microbial Silver Nanoparticles Enhance the Performance of Maize Plants Cultivated in Naturally Occurring Saline Soil
title_sort Microbial Silver Nanoparticles Enhance the Performance of Maize Plants Cultivated in Naturally Occurring Saline Soil
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Martínez, Fernando Gabriel
Paterlini, Paula
Rasuk, Maria Cecilia
Prado, Carolina
Viruel, Emilce
Romero, Cintia Mariana
Alvarez, Analía
author Martínez, Fernando Gabriel
author_facet Martínez, Fernando Gabriel
Paterlini, Paula
Rasuk, Maria Cecilia
Prado, Carolina
Viruel, Emilce
Romero, Cintia Mariana
Alvarez, Analía
author_role author
author2 Paterlini, Paula
Rasuk, Maria Cecilia
Prado, Carolina
Viruel, Emilce
Romero, Cintia Mariana
Alvarez, Analía
author2_role author
author
author
author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Estrés Abiótico
Nanopartículas de Plata
Maíz
Suelo Salino
Abiotic Stress
Silver Nanoparticles
Maize
Saline Soils
Streptomyces
topic Estrés Abiótico
Nanopartículas de Plata
Maíz
Suelo Salino
Abiotic Stress
Silver Nanoparticles
Maize
Saline Soils
Streptomyces
dc.description.none.fl_txt_mv Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that limits agricultural productivity worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can mitigate salt stress in maize while preserving soil biological health under realistic soil conditions. Biogenic AgNPs were synthesized using biomolecules from the actinobacterium Streptomyces sp. Z38 and characterized, confirming spherical morphology, colloidal stability, and surface functionalization. Maize plants grown under greenhouse conditions were treated with biogenic or chemically synthesized AgNPs, and plant performance, oxidative stress responses, and soil biological properties were evaluated. Under saline conditions (6 mS cm−1), biogenic AgNPs markedly improved plant growth, almost fully restoring leaf dry weight (165.08 ± 23.68 mg) to values comparable with non-saline controls (171.81 ± 15.00 mg), while chemical AgNPs induced only partial recovery. Biogenic AgNPs also enhanced antioxidant defenses, increasing catalase activity by ~15% above non-saline levels and reducing lipid peroxidation from 232.34 ± 31.74 to 102.63 ± 5.75 Eq. MDA g−1. In parallel, chlorophyll a content increased by ~29% relative to non-saline plants, indicating improved photosynthetic performance. Transmission electron microscopy of leaves confirmed AgNPs internalization, with nanoparticles primarily sequestered in vacuoles. Analyses of experimental soils showed that biogenic AgNPs enhanced microbial enzymatic activity and respiration, while chemical AgNPs had inhibitory effects. Ecotoxicological assays further indicated low soil toxicity following biogenic AgNPs plant treatment, as reflected by high lettuce germination rates. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of biogenic AgNPs obtained from actinobacteria as sustainable nanobiotechnological tools to mitigate salt stress in crops while improving soil health. Future field-scale studies will be required to validate their agronomic applicability.
Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido
Fil: Martínez, Fernando Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina
Fil: Martínez, Fernando Gabriel. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Farmacoquímica; Argentina
Fil: Paterlini, Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina
Fil: Rasuk, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina
Fil: Prado, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina
Fil: Prado, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal; Argentina
Fil: Prado, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal; Argentina
Fil: Viruel, Emilce. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; Argentina
Fil: Romero, Cintia Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina
Fil: Romero, Cintia Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina
Fil: Alvarez, Analía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina
Fil: Alvarez, Analía. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina
description Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that limits agricultural productivity worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can mitigate salt stress in maize while preserving soil biological health under realistic soil conditions. Biogenic AgNPs were synthesized using biomolecules from the actinobacterium Streptomyces sp. Z38 and characterized, confirming spherical morphology, colloidal stability, and surface functionalization. Maize plants grown under greenhouse conditions were treated with biogenic or chemically synthesized AgNPs, and plant performance, oxidative stress responses, and soil biological properties were evaluated. Under saline conditions (6 mS cm−1), biogenic AgNPs markedly improved plant growth, almost fully restoring leaf dry weight (165.08 ± 23.68 mg) to values comparable with non-saline controls (171.81 ± 15.00 mg), while chemical AgNPs induced only partial recovery. Biogenic AgNPs also enhanced antioxidant defenses, increasing catalase activity by ~15% above non-saline levels and reducing lipid peroxidation from 232.34 ± 31.74 to 102.63 ± 5.75 Eq. MDA g−1. In parallel, chlorophyll a content increased by ~29% relative to non-saline plants, indicating improved photosynthetic performance. Transmission electron microscopy of leaves confirmed AgNPs internalization, with nanoparticles primarily sequestered in vacuoles. Analyses of experimental soils showed that biogenic AgNPs enhanced microbial enzymatic activity and respiration, while chemical AgNPs had inhibitory effects. Ecotoxicological assays further indicated low soil toxicity following biogenic AgNPs plant treatment, as reflected by high lettuce germination rates. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of biogenic AgNPs obtained from actinobacteria as sustainable nanobiotechnological tools to mitigate salt stress in crops while improving soil health. Future field-scale studies will be required to validate their agronomic applicability.
publishDate 2026
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2026-02-12T14:32:32Z
2026-02-12T14:32:32Z
2026-02
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
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status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/25192
https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/15/4/524
2223-7747
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040524
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/25192
https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/15/4/524
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040524
identifier_str_mv 2223-7747
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv eng
language eng
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
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Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
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rights_invalid_str_mv http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv MDPI
publisher.none.fl_str_mv MDPI
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv Plants 15 (4) : 524. (February 2026)
reponame:INTA Digital (INTA)
instname:Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
reponame_str INTA Digital (INTA)
collection INTA Digital (INTA)
instname_str Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
repository.name.fl_str_mv INTA Digital (INTA) - Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
repository.mail.fl_str_mv tripaldi.nicolas@inta.gob.ar
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