Evaluation of the effects of iron nanofertilizer on leaf growth, antioxidants and carbohydrate contents of Catharanthus roseus

Nanomaterials are considered as one of the most important innovations of modern science. Nanoparticles are highly reactive. These property are largely due to their size (from 1 to 100 nm)، large surface area and high solubility. Among all the micronutrients، iron has the largest amount in plants. Iron is the catalytic component of many oxidization and redox enzymes and is needed for chlorophyll synthesis. In this study، iron oxide nanoparticles in six different concentrations (0، 5، 10، 20، 30 and 40 micromolar) and compelte Hogland nutrient medium (include fe-chelate) as control environment was given to Catharanthus roseus plant for 70 days. The results have shown that iron oxide nanoparticles significantly increased the leaf growth parameters and carbohydrate contents in comparison with control plants، but it had no effects on the amount of proline، antioxidants and the stomatal density of leaf. The highest amounts of leaf growth parameters was obtained in 30μl iron oxide nanoparticles and the lowest values of these parameters was found with 0μl iron oxide nanoparticles. The highest values of proline and antioxidants activity were measured in 0μl iron، since this concentration is considered as stress for plant. Therefore use of iron oxide nanoparticles fertilizer is recommended، because it reduce the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers into the environment.