Vol. 40 No. 3 (2026):
Articles

Foliar titanium, Mn-graphene oxide, and molybdenum nanoparticles mitigate salt stress in Pelargonium graveolens L.

O.H.H. Hasan
Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz 5375171379, Iran.
L. Vojodi Mehrabani
Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz 5375171379, Iran.
K. Azispour
Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz 5375171379, Iran.
Categories

Published 2026-09-30

Keywords

  • Biomass,
  • catalase,
  • elemental content,
  • proline,
  • reactive oxygen species

How to Cite

Hasan, O. H. H., Vojodi Mehrabani, L., & Azizpour, K. (2026). Foliar titanium, Mn-graphene oxide, and molybdenum nanoparticles mitigate salt stress in Pelargonium graveolens L. Advances in Horticultural Science, 40(3), 307–322. https://doi.org/10.36253/ahsc-19353

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of foliar-applied nanoparticles on growth, nutrient uptake, essential oil content, and physiological responses of Pelargonium graveolens under salt stress. A factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with 3 replications. Plants were subjected to three salinity levels (0, 75, and 150 mM sodium chloride) and foliar spray of TiO2 (2 mg L⁻¹), Mn oxide-graphene oxide (10 mg L⁻¹), molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles (0.5 µM), or no spray (control). Salt stress significantly reduced biomass, nutrient content (N, P, Ca), and adversely enhanced malondialdehyde content. The highest biomass and nutrients content were observed under no-saline conditions + all nanoparticle treatments, and under 75 mM NaCl + Mn oxide-GO and MoO₃ sprays. Essential oil content was the highest at 0 mM and 150 mM NaCl + MoO₃, and at 75 mM NaCl + all three foliar treatments. MDA levels peaked at 44 (75 mM NaCl) and 49 nmol g⁻¹ FW (150 mM NaCl) without foliar sprays. In conclusion, P. graveolens tolerated salinity of up to 75 mM NaCl when supplemented with foliar Mn oxide-GO and MoO₃ nanoparticles. These treatments mitigated salinity-induced oxidative damages, improved nutrient status and enhanced essential oil yield, highlighting their potential as stress-alleviating agents under saline conditions.

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