Effects of Nano-Silicon Oxide on the Physiology of <i>Plantago asiatica</i> under Salt Stress

Soil salinization seriously affects plant growth and reduces crop quality. In this study, 100 mg/L nano-silicon dioxide (NS) was applied to study the effects of NS on the physiology of Plantago asiatica under salt stress. Salt treatment decreased the biomass, contents of photosynthetic pigments, and POD activity of P. asiatica decreased, while the CAT and SOD activities of P. asiatica increased, compared with the control. Under salt stress, NS treatment increased the contents of photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzyme activity of P. asiatica to some extent. Compared with the treatment of salt, NS treatment increased the chlorophyll a content, POD activity, and SOD activity of P. asiatica by 4.24%, 4.54%, and 163.20%, respectively, under salt stress. Therefore, NS treatment can alleviate salt stress to P. asiatica by increasing the chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzyme activity.