Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Khorramabad, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

3 Department of Plant medicine, Faculty of Agriculture , Saravan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction

Salinity stress leads to ion toxicity and osmotic stress. Salinity stress through the osmotic mechanism, due to the reduction of the osmotic potential of the soil solution, causes disturbances in transpiration and photosynthesis. The mechanism of action of ionic toxicity is also related to ion absorption and changes in physiological processes caused by toxicity, deficiency or change in the balance of mineral elements. In the last decade, the tendency to use metal nanoparticle compounds in agriculture and horticultural sciences has become popular. Researchers believe that silver nanoparticles are absorbed faster by plants due to their small size and high solubility, and therefore, by using these materials, optimal conditions for plant growth are created and any stress conditions are prevented in the plant.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was conducted in 2021 in the greenhouse of Horticultural Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture located in Khorram Abad city, Lorestan province. The experiment was conducted as a factorial in the form of a completely randomized design with four replications. The first factor includes salinity treatment at four levels (0, 25, 50 and 100 mM NaCl, respectively equivalent to 0.067, 2.450, 5.440 and 9.520 ds/m) and the second factor is application Leaf modulating nanosilver was at four levels (0, 10, 50 and 100 ppm). Salinity treatment started gradually with the application of low concentration of salt after establishing the plants in the pot. Nanosilver foliar spraying was applied weekly for 5 times until the flowering stage. Foliar spraying with silver nanoparticles was done in 3 stages, four leaves, full growth and flowering.

Results and Discussion

In this study, the application of nanosilver not only significantly improved all evaluated parameters, but also partially reduced the destructive effects in salinity conditions (50 and 100 mM), this gradual effect of nanosilver when in concentrations of 10 and 50 ppm was applied, it was more prominent. The application of nanosilver increased the ornamental characteristics of parsley, including the fresh weight of the flower (by 5.024 gr) and the time of budding and full flowering (57 and 70 days, respectively). Nanosilver in concentrations of 10 and 50 ppm increases the relative content of leaf water (8.22%), total phenol content (3.16 mg/gallic acid/gr of FW), total flavonoid content (542.5 0 mg/quercetin/ gr of FW) and potassium content of leaves (4.055%) under salinity stress conditions. Also, in this treatment, the lowest amount of leaf sodium (0.162%), ion leakage (30.36%) and malondialdehyde (0.448 µgr/gr of FW) was recorded. Researchers believe that silver nanoparticles are absorbed faster by plants due to their small size and high solubility, and therefore, by using these materials, optimal conditions for plant growth are created and any stressful conditions are prevented in the plant. Silver nanoparticles with suitable size and remarkable chemical stability remain in constant shape and size in solutions.

Conclusion

Based on the results observed in this study, the treatment of silver nanoparticles in concentrations of 10 and 50 ppm in the conditions of salinity stress, relative water content of leaves, potassium content of leaves, fresh and dry weight of flowers and time of budding and flowering. It increased total yield and, on the other hand, decreased ion leakage, malondialdehyde, proline, total phenol and flavonoid content, and sodium content of leaves. Therefore, it can be stated that the application of silver nanoparticles in the form of foliar spraying at levels of 10 and 50 ppm can reduce the negative effects caused by salinity stress and improve the ornamental characteristics of parsley in 25 and 50 mM of salinity stress.

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