Synergistic Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Nanotechnology on Drought Tolerance and Secondary Metabolite Production in Plants

Limited water availability restricts vegetative growth, reproductive output, and bioactive compound accumulation in medicinal and aromatic crops. Water deficit affects key physiological and biochemical processes and can influence the biosynthesis of valuable secondary metabolites such as essential oils. Therefore, developing sustainable strategies to enhance plant tolerance to drought conditions is essential. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) improve plant adaptation to drought by enhancing water and nutrient uptake, strengthening antioxidant defense systems, and supporting plant physiological stability. In addition, nanotechnology has emerged as an innovative approach for improving plant performance through nano-fertilizers and nano-elicitors that increase nutrient use efficiency and stimulate metabolic activities. Recent research indicates that the combined application of AMF and nanomaterials may provide complementary benefits in improving drought tolerance and supporting the production of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants. This review discusses the effects of drought stress on medicinal plants and highlights the potential roles of AMF and nanotechnology as sustainable approaches to improve plant resilience and productivity under water-limited conditions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nano-fertilizers ، oxidative stress ، plant-microbe interactions ، secondary metabolites ، sustainable agriculture ، water deficit