The application of nanoparticles on the yield and nutritional quality of rice under different irrigation regimes

The amino acid profile in rice serves as an indicator of its nutritional worth, playing a significant role in evaluating its overall nutritional quality. However, there has been limited research on how nanoparticles (NPs) and various irrigation regimes affect the nutritional value and overall quality of rice. In the present study, the effects of different irrigation regimes and foliar spray of NPs on the yield, nutrient concentration, and amino acid profile of milled rice in two rice cultivars were evaluated. The results showed that the Shirodi cultivar had a higher yield and nutrients compared to the Hashemi cultivar. Reducing irrigation significantly lowered the grain yield, nutrient elements, and some amino acids (asparagine, glutamic acid, serine, alanine, histidine, and arginine) in milled rice while increasing other amino acids. However, NPs treatments, especially ZnONPs + SiO2NPs treatment, increased grain yield and amino acids in milled rice. Regarding mineral nutrients, SiO2NPs and ZnONPs + SiO2NPs treatments decreased mineral nutrients in milled rice, while ZnONPs treatment increased Ca, Fe, Mg, and N and decreased the content of other elements in milled rice. Therefore, our findings showed that SiO2NPs and ZnONPs are promising NPs that can improve the yield and nutritional quality of milled rice, especially in water-deficient conditions. HIGHLIGHTS Reduction of irrigation decreased the yield and nutritional value of milled rice.; Different irrigation regimes caused changes in essential and non-essential amino acid profiles.; The use of NPs improved the yield and nutritional quality of milled rice in both rice cultivars.