Abstract
Pea plants are sensitive to water shortages, making them less attractive to farmers. Hoping to reduce the adverse effects of drought on peas and considering the benefits of boron, this study aimed to investigate the impact of boron nanoparticles on the antioxidant system and oxidative stress biomarkers in drought-stressed peas. Experiments were performed in a greenhouse. Pea plants were treated with a suspension of B(2)O(3) nanoparticles at 12.5, 25, and 50 ppm concentrations before ten days of water shortage. Drought effects were induced by maintaining 30% substrate moisture. This study investigated the properties of the nanoparticle suspension and different application methods for spraying and watering pea plants. The effects of B(2)O(3) nanoparticles and drought were determined on pea growth indicators, oxidative stress biomarkers, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Spraying with B(2)O(3) nanoparticles at 12.5 ppm most effectively stimulated phenol accumulation; FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS antioxidant capacity; and APX, SOD, GPX, and CAT enzyme activity in pea leaves exposed to drought. In addition, B(2)O(3) nanoparticles reduced the amount of MDA and H(2)O(2) in pea plants grown on a substrate with insufficient moisture. The most substantial positive effect was found on peas affected by drought after spraying them with 12.5 ppm of B(2)O(3) nanoparticles. B(2)O(3) nanoparticles positively affected the pea height, leaf area, number of nodules, and yield.