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Abstract
MWCNTs (Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes) are nanomaterials that can enter the soil through various sources. Our understanding of the effects of MWCNT on plant growth is not yet complete and needs to be further studied. In this study, the possible effects of MWCNTs (0, 50 μg/ml, 200 μg/ml) on the growth, physiological, and phytochemical performance of Mentha piperita plants under 50, 100, and 200 mM NaCl stress in greenhouse conditions were investigated. Changes in the essential oil of M. piperita were analyzed by GC. The most physiological and photosynthesis characteristics of M. piperita seedlings were negatively affected when plants were grown at different concentrations of NaCl. With increasing the salt concentration to 200 mM, a significant decrease was observed in the fresh and dry weight of the plant and the number of plant branches. The presence of both doses of MWCNTs significantly enhanced relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, growth indices, and essential oil percentage. Also, the plants treated with both MWCNTs and NaCl showed higher antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide catalase and peroxidase content under salinity stress. Among the different concentrations of carbon nanotubes, 200 μg/ml has a potential effect on physiological and biochemical parameters in plants under salinity stress. It is proposed that MWCNTs can significantly improve growth and salt tolerance in M. piperita plants by promoting water uptake, antioxidant enzyme activity, and photosynthesis performance. It can be concluded that MWCNTs improved the stress condition for the plant and reduced the plant's metabolic response to stress.