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<p>Chromium (Cr) contamination poses a major challenge to food security by impairing wheat growth and yield. This study evaluates the effectiveness of functionalized quantum dots (QDs), specifically ascorbate-coated (ASCQDs), berberine-coated (BERQDs), and glutathione-coated (GLUQDs), in reducing Cr-induced toxicity in two wheat cultivars, SKD-1 and Borlaug-16.A pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions with Cr stress (100&#xa0;mg/kg) applied to soil. QDs were administered via seed priming and foliar spray, both at 50&#xa0;µg/mL concentration. Physiological parameters, pigment content, antioxidant profiles, grain yield, seed quality, and Cr accumulation were evaluated across treatments. Cr stress delayed germination by 2–5 days, reduced plant height in SKD-1 to 38–41 inches, and decreased grain yield (0.3–0.5&#xa0;g/plant). GLUQDs restored plant height to 61 inches, improved chlorophyll content from 27 to 39&#xa0;µg g⁻¹, and increased TKW to 67&#xa0;g. BERQDs raised grain yield to 1.3&#xa0;g/plant. Antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, POD), non-enzymatic antioxidants, and proline (8.50 µmol g⁻¹) were enhanced with QDs. Cr levels in grains were reduced to 0.177&#xa0;mg/kg (SKD-1) and 0.1677&#xa0;mg/kg (Borlaug-16). GLUQDs improved the seed protein to 18.97&#xa0;g/100&#xa0;g in Borlaug-16. Functionalized QDs, especially GLUQDs, effectively mitigated Cr toxicity by enhancing physiological performance, antioxidant defenses, and seed quality while reducing Cr grain accumulation. This study supports QDs as a promising approach to improve crop resilience and food safety under heavy metal stress.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Mitigating Chromium-Induced Toxicity in Wheat Using Quantum Dots: Physiological, Biochemical, and Seed Composition Responses in SKD-1 and Borlaug-16 Cultivars

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月30日

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  • Muhammad Anas,
  • Amjid Khan,
  • Umar Masood Quraishi

摘要

Chromium (Cr) contamination poses a major challenge to food security by impairing wheat growth and yield. This study evaluates the effectiveness of functionalized quantum dots (QDs), specifically ascorbate-coated (ASCQDs), berberine-coated (BERQDs), and glutathione-coated (GLUQDs), in reducing Cr-induced toxicity in two wheat cultivars, SKD-1 and Borlaug-16.A pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions with Cr stress (100 mg/kg) applied to soil. QDs were administered via seed priming and foliar spray, both at 50 µg/mL concentration. Physiological parameters, pigment content, antioxidant profiles, grain yield, seed quality, and Cr accumulation were evaluated across treatments. Cr stress delayed germination by 2–5 days, reduced plant height in SKD-1 to 38–41 inches, and decreased grain yield (0.3–0.5 g/plant). GLUQDs restored plant height to 61 inches, improved chlorophyll content from 27 to 39 µg g⁻¹, and increased TKW to 67 g. BERQDs raised grain yield to 1.3 g/plant. Antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, POD), non-enzymatic antioxidants, and proline (8.50 µmol g⁻¹) were enhanced with QDs. Cr levels in grains were reduced to 0.177 mg/kg (SKD-1) and 0.1677 mg/kg (Borlaug-16). GLUQDs improved the seed protein to 18.97 g/100 g in Borlaug-16. Functionalized QDs, especially GLUQDs, effectively mitigated Cr toxicity by enhancing physiological performance, antioxidant defenses, and seed quality while reducing Cr grain accumulation. This study supports QDs as a promising approach to improve crop resilience and food safety under heavy metal stress.

Graphical Abstract