Nanotechnology is a promising tool to achieve great advancements in the global agricultural systems and food production. The widespread application of nanomaterials in numerous fields of life has led to increase concerns over the potential impacts of these nanoparticles on plants. In the present study, morphophysiological evaluation of the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) was assessed in two pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars (i.e. ‘Manfalouty’ and ‘Wonderful’) under in vitro conditions. ZnO-NPs were added to a Woody Plant Medium (WPM) in six doses, i.e. 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mg/L. Results showed that, ZnO-NPs at 2.5 mg/L induced the best proliferation rate (4.8 and 4.4 shoots/explant) compare to control (4 and 3.2 shoots/explants), while at 5 mg/L it induced the maximum shoot length (2.58 and 2.91 cm vs 2.23 and 2.36 cm in control) and biomass (0.3 and 0.37 g) compared with control (0.18 and 0.23 g) for ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Manfalouty’ cultivars, respectively. Moreover, at 1 and 2.5 mg/L of ZnO-NPs the highest total chlorophyll content (0.58 and 0.61 mg/g fresh weight) was achieved for ‘Manfalouty’ and ‘Wonderful’ cultivars compared with control (0.50 and 0.39 mg/g fresh weight), respectively. However, further increase in ZnO-NPs concentration up to 10 mg/L, did not support plant growth or related physiological parameters. These observations clearly showed the influence of ZnO-NPs on morphological and physiological traits in pomegranate under in vitro conditions, which could help in the optimal utilization of ZnO-NPs to improve pomegranate growth.

Background: Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) an anionic surfactant pollutant has emerged as a serious hazard to the aquatic and terrestrial environment. Due to physical and chemical methodological difficulties for SDS removal, phytoremediation techniques are efficient alternative strategies to tackle such adversities. Juncus acutus L. (J. acutus) is a pioneer wetland species that has been recently exploited for phytoremediation purposes. To our knowledge, the role of exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), in improving the phytoextraction of SDS has not been examined yet. In this study, pretreatment foliar spray of H₂O₂ (15 mM) combined with two levels of SDS (50 and 100 ppm) in water culture was evaluated to remove SDS contamination and add value to the phytoremediation process. Results: The outcomes revealed that J. acutus has considerable translocation and bioaccumulation abilities for SDS and can be utilized as an appropriate hyperaccumulator in SDS-contaminated sites. However, the involvement of H₂O₂ extended phytoremediation capacity and successive removal of SDS. H₂O₂ significantly assisted in increasing SDS remediation via more accumulation in J. acutus tissues by 29.9 and 112.4% and decreasing SDS concentration in culture media by 33.3 and 27.3% at 50 and 100 ppm SDS, respectively. Bioaccumulation factor (BCF) increased by 13.8 and 13.2%, while translocation factor (TCF) positively maximized by 82.4 and 76.2% by H₂O₂ application at 50 and 100 ppm SDS, respectively. H₂O₂ pretreatment could drive the decline in biochemical attributes in SDS-affected plants by modulating stress tolerance indices, pigments, water relations, proline content, enzymatic activities, and further, reduced oxidative stress in terms of electrolyte leakage, cellular H₂O₂, malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Conclusions: H₂O₂ could play a potential role in maximizing phytoremediation capacity of SDS by J. acutus in polluted sites.

Aluminum (Al) toxicity exhibits a challenge for growing strawberries ( Fragaria x ananassa Duch), impacting their growth and nutritional value. Considerably in this study, we explored how melatonin, an endogenous plant hormone, can help alleviate Al stress in strawberry plants. The current research examined the effects of foliar spraying melatonin (0,50, and 100 ppm) on growth indicators, photosynthetic pigment levels, carbon and nitrogen assimilation, oxidative stress markers, and fruit quality attributes under Al stress (100 µM) in a controlled pot experiment conducted in a greenhouse. The results revealed that exposure to Al stress significantly reduced the adequate growth, as well as the yield and quality of fruits. Melatonin application improved plant growth parameters, especially at a concentration of 100 ppm, enhancing the levels of photosynthetic pigments and boosting carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism. Moreover, melatonin played a role in reducing stress markers while increasing enzymatic antioxidant activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxide, glutathione-S-transferase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase) and secondary metabolites (proline, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, reduced glutathione, and phytochelatins), while decreasing polyphenol oxidase activity as well as phenolics content, implying a role in ROS scavenging. The results underscore the promise of melatonin as a method to enhance the ability of strawberries to withstand Al toxicity and promote friendly agricultural practices in polluted soils.