Mitigating Salinity Stress in Solanaceae: The Role of Nanoparticles in Seed Germination and Growth Development

Salinity is a significant challenge that limits agricultural productivity worldwide. This study examined the use of nanoparticles to improve the growth and development of Solanaceae crops under salinity stress. Specifically, titanium dioxide (TiO2NPs), copper oxide (CuONPs), and zinc oxide (ZnONPs) were applied at 750, 1250, and 1500 mg/kg per seed, respectively, to assess their effects on seed germination and growth of tomato, eggplant, and pepper plants. Results showed that tomato plants under salinity stress performed best with CuONPs, which improved key traits. The combination of salinity and TiO2NPs reduced flower abortion and increased seed yield and 1000-Seed weight. In eggplants, CuONPs and ZnONPs, both individually and in combination with salinity, enhanced plant characteristics, with CuONPs showing particularly strong effects. Control plants consistently recorded the lowest values across traits. For peppers, ZnONPs applied individually most effectively improved growth traits, while CuONPs reduced flower abortion and enhanced seed and germination rates. However, salinity stress itself severely reduced pepper growth parameters. The findings highlight the potential of nanoparticle applications to mitigate salinity stress, enhance growth performance, and support sustainable crop production in tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers, offering practical solutions for salinity-affected agriculture.