Variations in Zataria multiflora Essential Oil Content in Response to Green Synthesized Zinc-Oxide Nanoparticles

Since the desires for nanoparticle (NP) applications in agriculture increase, their green and sustainable synthesis has attracted more attention. Large scale applications of chemical fertilizers not only disturb the soil mineral balance but also reduce soil fertility. NPs can enhance crop productivity by increasing the photosynthetic activity, the rate of seed germination, seedling growth, metabolism of the nitrogen, carbohydrate and protein synthesis. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are among the most commonly used NPs in agriculture [۱]. Chemical components and the yield of essential oils (EOs) correlate with the amounts of nutrients that are available to plants [۲]. The present study was planned to determine the variations in Zataria multiflora Boiss EO content in response to green synthesized ZnO NPs. ZnO NPs were synthesized via ultrasonic irradiations by using the extracts of Punica granatum and Citrus aurantifolia pomaces to evaluate their foliar application in different concentrations (۰, ۱۰۰ and ۳۰۰ mgL-۱) on EO yield and composition of Z. multiflora in comparison to the Zn-EDTA fertilizer, separately. The Pomaces۲were gathered from a juice factory in Jahrom, Fars province (south of Iran). The extracts from each pomaces were prepared based on previous report [۳,۴]. The seedlings of Z. multiflora were produced under greenhouse controlled environment. The seedlings were planted based on a randomized complete block design. The plants were irrigated at interval of ۴ days. ۲۰ days after transplanting, ZnO NPs with different concentrations (۰ - distilled water, ۱۰۰ and ۳۰۰ mgL-۱) were sprayed on the plants every ۱۰ days. At the end of the plant growth period, the plants were dried at laboratory condition. After that, the EO was extracted from aerial part of plant using a Clevenger-type apparatus. Analyses of the volatile oils were carried out by gas chromatography (GC-FID) and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The biggest amount of EOs yields were found in ZnO NPs synthesized by Punica pomace and at ۳۰۰ mgL-۱ concentration. Zn-EDTA fertilizer at ۱۰۰ mgL-۱ concentration was shown the high yield of EO in ZnO NPs synthesized by Citrus pomace. The predominant component in Z. multiflora EO was linalool in all of the plants that had received treatments. According to the obtained results, the plant responses to the evaluated ZnO NPs were not the same. Different sources of zinc fertilizer significantly enhanced oxygenated monoterpenes content.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nanoparticles ، Essential oil ، Pomaces ، Zataria multiflora ، Zinc fertilizer