Effect of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes and Salinity Stress on Morphological and Phytochemical Characteristics of Satureja rechingeri Jamzad In Vitro

In order to evaluate the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and salinity stress on morphological and phytochemical characteristics of Satureja rechingeri, a factorial experiment was conducted in vitro based on completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. The first factor was the concentrations of 0, 50, 100 and 200μg/ml of carbon nanotubes and the second factor was the concentrations of 0, 50, 100 and 200mM NaCl. The number and length of shoots and roots, fresh and dry weight of the aerial parts, caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid content were evaluated. By increasing of NaCl concentration from 0 to 200mM, significant reduction in shoots fresh weight, root and shoot length and the number of shoots and roots was observed. Among different concentrations of carbon nanotubes, 100 μg/ml caused a significant increase in the aerial parts dry weight. Under salinity stress, carbon nanotubes improved the number and length of roots and the number and dry weight of shoots. By increasing of carbon nanotubes, caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid content were increased, while caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid content was significantly decreased under different NaCl concentrations. This finding shows carbon nanotubes alleviate the stress condition.