Efficacy of TiO2 nanoparticles in enhancing the photosynthesis, essential oil and khusimol biosynthesis in Vetiveria zizanioides L. Nash

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO(2)NPs) have intrigued scientists due to their plant growth elicitor activity and potential to strengthen the photosynthetic machinery of plants. Therefore, we investigated if foliar application of TiO(2)NPs could enhance the photosynthetic characteristics and the yield of essential oil-bearing multi-purpose crop, Vetiveria zizanioides. Of the various concentrations (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 mg L-1), 90 mg(TiO(2)NPs) L-1 was found being significant enough in mproving most of the parameters studied. At 300 d after transplantation, foliar application of TiO(2)NPs (90 mg L-1) increased the total chlorophyll (Chl) content and maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII by 27.2 and 23.5%, respectively, compared with the control. Due to this treatment, the content and yield of essential oil (EO) increased by 23.6 and 55.1%, respectively. The khusimol (main active constituent of EO) content and yield were improved by 24.5 and 93.2%, respectively.