Effect of endophyte fungus and zinc oxide nanoparticle on growth parameters and some phytochemicals in Physalis alkekengi under in vitro condition

The root endophytic fungus Serendipita indica has useful and unique features to enhance growth, yield and resistance of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. The recent studies have shown that plant growth, physiology and production of phytochemicals are significantly affected by nanoparticles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of S. indica and zinc oxide nanoparticles on the symbiosis amount, growth parameters and the production of some phytochemicals in pharmaceutical plant Physalis alkekengi under in vitro conditions. The treatments were two fungus level (presence of fungus and absence of fungus), and five concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/L). By increasing zinc nanoparticles in media, symbiosis percentage and the growth parameters were significantly increased. Application of nanoparticle in some levels, increased total flavonoid, total phenol, anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity of leaf and stem, in compare to control. Presence of S. indica significantly increased growth parameters, stem flavonoids, leaf and stem anthocyanins, leaf total phenol and antioxidant capacity of the stem and leaf. The results from this study showed that zinc nanoparticles, especially at 20 mg/L, as abiotic elicitor and S. indica as biotic elicitor can increase the growth and production of some phytochemicals in pharmaceutical plant Physalis alkekengi.