sulfur nanoparticles effects on physiological parameters of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

In this study, the effect of green synthesized sulfur nanoparticle (SNP) at different concentration (۰, ۰.۰۱, ۰.۱, ۱ and ۱۰ mg/ml) on some physiological, phytochemical and biochemical traits of lettuce plants was investigated. For the first time, SNP were green synthesized using Cinnamomum zeylanicum barks extract. Our results indicated that the treatment of lettuce plants with ۱ mg/ml of SNP improved the growth and photosynthetic parameters of lettuce plants than related control. Some other physiological parameters such as proline, glycine betaine and soluble sugars levels were enhanced after treatment of the plants with same concentration of SNP. However, a concentration of ۱۰ mg/ml of SNP exhibited toxicity on lettuce plants with inducing oxidative stress markers (H۲O۲ and MDA) and consequently reducing plant growth and biomass. This oxidative stress tend to diminish some physiological, phytochemical and biochemical parameters in treated lettuce plants. Overall, it can be concluded that the green synthesed SNP at an optimal concentration of ۱ mg/ml improved all of lettuce plant physiological parameters made the lettuce plants potent to tolerate stressful conditions. However, higher concentration of SNP (۱۰ mg/ml) indicated toxic effects on all of the physiological parameters.