Research Projects

The widespread use and improper disposal of non-biodegradable plastics, such as polystyrene (Ps) plastic, can lead to the release of toxic chemicals and nano-plastics, contaminating soil and water resources, affecting crop plant productivity and human health. NPs can damage soil structure and adhere to roots or seeds, reducing water uptake and respiration rates, and minimizing growth. The impact of PsNP toxicity on plants is still poorly understood, particularly in India, where black mustard is commonly grown for edible oil extraction, animal cake production, and green manure. Excessive NP exposure can induce severe oxidative stress, leading to overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROs) at the cellular level. NPs can inhibit various physiological, biochemical, and metabolic processes, altering enzyme function and gene expression. To better understand the regulatory roles of antioxidant gene expression patterns under PsNP toxicity in dicot crops like black mustard, this study aims to create a better understanding of PsNPs translocation, oxidative stress, and expression patterns of antioxidant defense genes under PsNPs toxicity. The study will provide new insights into molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs-mediated modulation of NPs toxicity in black mustard, helping to untie the lncRNAs-guided target gene regulatory networks involved in plant's adaptive responses to nano-plastic toxicity.