The effect of Titanium nano dioxide on physiological particular and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) under water deficit stress

Drought stress is the most important factor limiting growth and production of plants. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have different effects on morphological, physiological and biochemical properties of the plants. In this study, effects of spraying of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/l) and two levels of irrigation (normal irrigation, 5-days irrigation intervals) was evaluated through a factorial assay based on randomized block complete design with three replications. Sixty days after starting the assay, changes in chlorophyll index, leaf area, proline, protein, total carbohydrate, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fo, Fv/Fm) and nutrients (potassium, manganese, Iron, and zinc) were measured. Under water deficit stress, spraying of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles, increased the amount of chlorophyll index, proline and protein content, concentrations of potassium, zinc, iron, manganese; leaf surface and reduced the amount of minimum chlorophyll fluorescence. Also, total soluble carbohydrate content increased increased in parallel with titanium dioxide nanoparticles concentration, while the treatment did not affect the amount of FV/FM.