Curcumin-polyvinyl alcohol nano-composite enhances tolerance of Helianthus annuus L. against salinity stress

Abstract

Abstract Background Nanotechnology is a promising technology in many fields including agriculture. So, this investigation aimed to study effect of curcumin (CUR) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nano-compositeat 0, 20, 40 and 60 mg L−1 on physiochemical attributes of sunflower plants grown under salinity stress (3000 ppm). Results Results showed that salinity stress significantly reduced all growth indiceslike plant height, number of leaves/plant, fresh and dry weight of shoot and leaf area accompanied by significant increases in proline content, secondary metabolites (total phenolic compound contents and flavonoids), malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In addition, catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase increased significantly. The decreases in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids due to salinity stress were non-significant. On the other hand, curcumin with polyvinyl alcohol (CUR-PVA) nano-composite at all concentrations significantly promoted all vegetative growth parameters, total photosynthetic pigments, secondary metabolites, antioxidant enzyme activities accompanied by significant decreases in proline content, MDA and H2O2 either in plant irrigated with tap water or saline solution relative to corresponding control. CUR-PVA nano-composite at 20 mg L−1 was the most optimum treatment either in plant irrigated with tape water or saline solution since it caused the highest significant increases in vegetative growth parameters, total photosynthetic pigments, secondary metabolites and antioxidant enzyme activities accompanied by highest significant decreases in proline content, MDA and H2O2 relative to control. Conclusions In brief that CUR-PVA nano-composite employs no ticeable effect in decreasing the deleterious effect of salinity on quality of sunflower.