The effect of gibberellic acid on wheat growth and nutrient uptake under combined stress of cerium, zinc and titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Nanoparticles (NPs) are released and dispersed in the environment because of increased manufacturing and use of nano products. NPs disturb the growth of plants depending upon types, exposure duration and plant species. The purpose of this research was to explore the role of gibberellic acid (GA) exposure through foliar route on wheat growth under alone or combined soil application of cerium oxide (CeO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs. GA was foliar-applied (200 mg/L) on the wheat plants treated with individual and in all possible combination of the selected NPs. Explorations have revealed that the combination of NPs and GA worked well to enhance the plant growth and selected nutrient status than NPs alone. Furthermore, GA decreased the boosted antioxidant enzyme activities under the combination and individual NPs compared to the alone NPs treated plants, lowered the oxidative stress in wheat plants which provided the additional proof that GA decreased oxidative damage in plants. Combined NPs showed differential effects than individual NPs application irrespective of GA exposure which varied with NPs combination and studied parameters of plants. GA + NPs differentially affected the potassium, phosphorus, iron and manganese concentrations in wheat tissues than NPs alone treatments. Overall, GA can be applied when there is excess of NPs (either alone or in combination) in the growth medium to ensure the growth of crops. However, further studied are needed with other plant species and alone or combined use of different NPs under GA treatment before any final recommendation. [Display omitted] •Nanoparticles were toxic to plants and decreased the plant mineral nutrients and wheat growth.•Effect of ZnO, CeO2, TiO2 NPs varied with combination type and plant attributes.•Foliar-applied GA boosted wheat growth and nutritional quality when exposed to NPs.•The GA minimized the oxidative stress and boosted the growth of NPs-stressed wheat.•GA showed positive effect on wheat irrespective of NPs combinations or alone supply.