Phosphorus Nanoparticles Foliar Application as an Effective Strategy for Improving the Vegetative Growth, Biochemical Traits, and Essential Oil of Peppermint Plants

Abstract

Nanomaterials have been developed for various applications due to their unique features, and anew interest is now growing in their use in the agricultural sector as nano-fertilizers. Among the developed nanomaterials, nano-phosphorus fertilizer. (Mentha longifolia L.), which is an abundant source of essential oils (EO) and phenolic acids, is well known for its medicinal significance. The present research aimed to evaluate the impact of various concentrations of phosphorus nanoparticles (200, 400 and 600 ppm), on growth, Essential oil (Eos), and phenolic compounds of mint (M. longifolia L) plant. The results demonstrated that the simultaneous application of Phosphorus nanoparticles (P-NPs) from 200 to 600 ppm increased all studied traits as compared with control in both cuts. The foliar application with P-NPs at rate of (600 ppm) significantly increased the herb fresh and dry weight, essential oil and oil yield/plant, chlorophyll (a and b), carotenoids and total pigments contents of mint leaves in both cuts, compared to the control. The highest values of Carbohydrates % (51.83 and 53.358), Phenol (346.52 and 356.710), Flavonoids (241.89 and 249.000) and DPPH % (57.58 and 59.274) on leaves in both cuts respectively, were recorded with the foliar application treatment of P-NPs at rate of (600 ppm). The highest significant values of N% (3.22 and 3.28), P % (0.58 and 0.61 %), and K % (3.24 and 3.26) on leaves in both cuts respectively, were recorded with the foliar application treatments of P-NPs at rate of (600 ppm). The P-NPs at rate of (600 ppm) treatment gave the maximum values on the contents of Eucalyptol (15.83), Isopulegone (1.85) and Pulegone (34.54) on the leaves of (M. longifolia L.) herbs. While, l-Menthone (23.17) recorded the highest value with P-NPs at rate of (200 ppm).