# Foliar application of green-synthesized Cu–Zn nanocomposites: improve physiological responses, isozymes activity, and photosynthetic traits in lead-stressed pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants

## TL;DR

This paper shows that applying copper-zinc nanocomposites to pea plants can reduce lead stress and improve plant growth and photosynthesis.

## Contribution

The study introduces green-synthesized Cu-Zn nanocomposites as a novel method to mitigate lead stress in pea plants.

## Key findings

- Foliar application of Cu-Zn nanocomposites improved pea plant growth and chlorophyll content under lead stress.
- The treatment reduced negative effects of lead on physiological and photosynthetic traits.
- Protein and isozyme analyses revealed stress amelioration in treated plants.

## Abstract

Heavy metal contamination of the soil has grown in importance in recent years. It may reduce agricultural output and jeopardize the welfare of individuals by entering the food chain. The use of nanomaterials, such as copper-zinc (Cu-Zn) nanocomposites, has emerged as a potential strategy to alleviate lead (Pb) stress in plants. Chlorophyll content, biomass accumulation, root and shoot length, and other aspects of plant development were used to assess the impacts of these nanomaterials. Additionally, protein patterns and antioxidant isozyme analysis, including Antioxidant enzymes, were assessed to understand the mechanisms underlying the plant’s response to Cu-Zn exposure. The results suggest that after harvesting of the 35-day-old pea plant, signs of the plant’s amelioration from stress destruction included morphological traits, photosynthetic pigments, sugars, phenol content, protein levels, Pb accumulation, protein pattern, and isozymes analysis were performed. In stressed plants, measurements of growth parameters, physiological aspects, all showed severe declines. The study discovered that pea plants’ growth indices, chlorophyll content, and osmolytes were all improved by using foliar application of green-synthesis copper zinc (Cu-Zn) nanocomposites. Additionally, it lessened the negative effects of lead (Pb) stress on pea plants. Thus, Cu-Zn nanocomposites may be a viable approach to reducing heavy metal stress and enhancing pea plant crop growth and output.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-43558-w.