The effect of foliar application of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Moringa oleifera on improving the yield and quality of Pelargonium hortorum under drought stress
Abstract Biologically synthesized nanoparticles act as growth stimulants and enhance plant tolerance to stresses. This study aimed to investigate the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized using an aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera as a plant stimulant on the morphological and physi...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05457-4 |
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| author | Mehrdad Babarabie Parvin Zolfaghary Ali Salehi Sardoei Zeinab Fotoohiyan Amir Ghorbanzadeh Atoosa Danyaei Sediqeh Afsharipour |
| author_facet | Mehrdad Babarabie Parvin Zolfaghary Ali Salehi Sardoei Zeinab Fotoohiyan Amir Ghorbanzadeh Atoosa Danyaei Sediqeh Afsharipour |
| author_sort | Mehrdad Babarabie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Biologically synthesized nanoparticles act as growth stimulants and enhance plant tolerance to stresses. This study aimed to investigate the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized using an aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera as a plant stimulant on the morphological and physiological traits of Pelargonium hortorum under drought stress conditions in greenhouse experiments. First, the synthesis of AgNPs and their morphology and particle size distribution were examined using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Then, to evaluate the effect of nanoparticles on geranium growth, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, including three levels of drought stress (30, 60, and 90% field capacity) and four levels of nanoparticle foliar application (0, 10, 20, and 30%) with three replications over six months. The results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles were highly homogeneous and spherical, with an average size ranging from 8 to 12 nanometers. Foliar application at a 10% concentration significantly improved all evaluated parameters and partially mitigated the adverse effects of drought stress. The highest phenotypic coefficient of variation belonged to stem diameter (15.27%) and catalase enzyme activity (17.62%). The application of nanoparticles at a 10% concentration significantly increased leaf blade length and width, plant height, flower diameter, petal anthocyanin content, catalase enzyme activity, and chlorophyll content compared to the control. However, regarding stem diameter and flowering time, the highest increase was observed at 20% and 30% nanoparticle concentrations, respectively. Additionally, AgNPs at a 10% concentration increased phosphorus and potassium content in geranium leaves, whereas higher concentrations and drought stress reduced nitrogen and potassium levels. Therefore, foliar application of AgNPs (10%) can reduce the adverse effects of drought stress and serve as a practical, effective, and cost-efficient approach to mitigating stress and improving geranium growth and yield under water-limited conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b42aed368f534a6f9f87ee9431a8a658 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-b42aed368f534a6f9f87ee9431a8a6582025-08-20T03:45:27ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111810.1038/s41598-025-05457-4The effect of foliar application of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Moringa oleifera on improving the yield and quality of Pelargonium hortorum under drought stressMehrdad Babarabie0Parvin Zolfaghary1Ali Salehi Sardoei2Zeinab Fotoohiyan3Amir Ghorbanzadeh4Atoosa Danyaei5Sediqeh Afsharipour6Department of Agriculture, Minab Higher Education Complex, University of HormozganDepartment of Soil and Water, Faculty of Water Engineering, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesHorticultural and Crops Research Department, Southern Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEODepartment of Plant Pathology, Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Plant Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesNational University of SkillsDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, University of HormozganAbstract Biologically synthesized nanoparticles act as growth stimulants and enhance plant tolerance to stresses. This study aimed to investigate the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized using an aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera as a plant stimulant on the morphological and physiological traits of Pelargonium hortorum under drought stress conditions in greenhouse experiments. First, the synthesis of AgNPs and their morphology and particle size distribution were examined using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Then, to evaluate the effect of nanoparticles on geranium growth, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, including three levels of drought stress (30, 60, and 90% field capacity) and four levels of nanoparticle foliar application (0, 10, 20, and 30%) with three replications over six months. The results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles were highly homogeneous and spherical, with an average size ranging from 8 to 12 nanometers. Foliar application at a 10% concentration significantly improved all evaluated parameters and partially mitigated the adverse effects of drought stress. The highest phenotypic coefficient of variation belonged to stem diameter (15.27%) and catalase enzyme activity (17.62%). The application of nanoparticles at a 10% concentration significantly increased leaf blade length and width, plant height, flower diameter, petal anthocyanin content, catalase enzyme activity, and chlorophyll content compared to the control. However, regarding stem diameter and flowering time, the highest increase was observed at 20% and 30% nanoparticle concentrations, respectively. Additionally, AgNPs at a 10% concentration increased phosphorus and potassium content in geranium leaves, whereas higher concentrations and drought stress reduced nitrogen and potassium levels. Therefore, foliar application of AgNPs (10%) can reduce the adverse effects of drought stress and serve as a practical, effective, and cost-efficient approach to mitigating stress and improving geranium growth and yield under water-limited conditions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05457-4Silver nanoparticlesGeraniumMoringa oleiferaDrought stressYield enhancement |
| spellingShingle | Mehrdad Babarabie Parvin Zolfaghary Ali Salehi Sardoei Zeinab Fotoohiyan Amir Ghorbanzadeh Atoosa Danyaei Sediqeh Afsharipour The effect of foliar application of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Moringa oleifera on improving the yield and quality of Pelargonium hortorum under drought stress Scientific Reports Silver nanoparticles Geranium Moringa oleifera Drought stress Yield enhancement |
| title | The effect of foliar application of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Moringa oleifera on improving the yield and quality of Pelargonium hortorum under drought stress |
| title_full | The effect of foliar application of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Moringa oleifera on improving the yield and quality of Pelargonium hortorum under drought stress |
| title_fullStr | The effect of foliar application of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Moringa oleifera on improving the yield and quality of Pelargonium hortorum under drought stress |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of foliar application of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Moringa oleifera on improving the yield and quality of Pelargonium hortorum under drought stress |
| title_short | The effect of foliar application of silver nanoparticles synthesized by Moringa oleifera on improving the yield and quality of Pelargonium hortorum under drought stress |
| title_sort | effect of foliar application of silver nanoparticles synthesized by moringa oleifera on improving the yield and quality of pelargonium hortorum under drought stress |
| topic | Silver nanoparticles Geranium Moringa oleifera Drought stress Yield enhancement |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05457-4 |
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