As global climate change continues to intensify, droughts and water scarcity are expected to become more prevalent. This study examines the foliar application of nano zinc (Zn), nano silicon (Si), and a Zn+Si combination in a nano mesoporous configuration on chickpea plants subjected to three levels of water stress: 90%, 60%, and 30% of field capacity. The results revealed that mesoporous Zn+Si nanoparticles had the most significant impact on enhancing drought tolerance, especially under severe stress conditions. These treatments boosted the production of antioxidants such as catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, increased chlorophyll content, improved photosynthetic efficiency, and positively influenced yield components. Biplot and cluster analyses indicated that treatments with mesoporous Zn+Si nanoparticles (S1-MP-Zn+Si and S2-MP-Zn+Si) performed best under moderate and severe drought stress, enhancing both antioxidant defence and agronomic traits like plant height, pod number, and yield. In contrast, zinc and silicon treatments, either alone or in conventional forms, were less effective in alleviating drought stress. The combination of Zn and Si improved plant resilience under water scarcity, fostering better plant growth. However, the mesoporous Zn+Si nanoparticles demonstrated superior stress alleviation, particularly by increasing chlorophyll content and reducing oxidative stress. Using of mesoporous Zn+Si nanoparticles can improve drought tolerance in chickpea can provide both global and local solutions to pressing challenges in natural resource management. This strategy offers a sustainable solution for mitigating the effects of climate change, improving food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Locally, it offers a practical approach to enhance crop resilience in water-scarce regions, ensuring better water management and more productive farming in semi-arid areas. The integration of these findings into both policy and practice could have significant benefits for both local communities and global agricultural systems.
