Effect of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on Physiological Traits, Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Capacity of Salvia mirzayanii Rech. f. & Esfand. under Drought Stress

Environmental stresses and biotic and abiotic elicitors induce secondary metabolites biosynthesis and hypersensitive response in plants through activation of defense mechanisms.
This study was carried out with the aim of assessing the effects of different drought stress and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) levels on physiological variations, flavonoid and phenolic contents, and antioxidant capacity of Salvia mirzayanii.
This study was arranged in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design under research greenhouse of medicinal plants department at Arak University. The first factor was considered as drought stress in 4 levels (25, 50, 75 and 100% of field capacity), and the second factor was designated as foliar spray of MWCNT (functionalized and non- functionalized) at 4 different concentrations (0, 50 and 200 mg/L).
Results showed that drought stress and MWCNT and their interactions significantly affected some studied traits. Leaf relative water content (P Application of functionalized MWCNT at concentration of 50 mg/L along with moderate drought stress improved physiological traits and antioxidant activity of extract in
S. mirzayanii plants.