Saleh Shahabivand, Ahmad Aghaee, Masoumeh Athari, Yousef Nasiri,
Volume 11, Issue 47 (1-2023)
Abstract
Foliar application of micronutrient such as zinc is a quick and easy way to eliminate or reduce the deficiency of these nutrients in plants. In order to evaluate the effects of foliar application of ordinary and nanoparticles of zinc on the growth and antioxidant responses in medicinal plant basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), this research was conducted by complete randomized design with three replicates under greenhouse conditions. The treatments included four levels of zinc oxide (0, 25, 50, 100 mg.L-1) and four levels of zinc oxide nanoparticles (0, 25, 50, 100 mg.L-1). Results showed that under zinc oxide treatment at 100 mg/L, the shoot and root length, and the shoot and root dry weights were significantly increased, as compared with the control. The zinc nanoparticle treatment under different levels, especially at 100 mg.L-1 had a significant increase on all growth parameters including shoot and root length, inflorescence number and length, and shoot and root dry weights in comparison to the control plants. By increasing concentration of both treatments (ordinary zinc and nano-zinc), the activities of antioxidant enzyme catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase were elevated. Minimum and maximum amounts of growth traits and antioxidant enzymes activities were observed in control and 100 mg.L-1 zinc nanoparticle, respectively. The results from this study indicated positive and obvious effect of zinc oxide nanoparticle, compared to ordinary zinc oxide, on the growth and antioxidant enzyme activity in pharmaceutical plant basil.
