Ameliorating Potential Of Silver Nano-Particles On Growth And Physiology Of Carrot (Daucus Carota L.) Under Hydrocarbon Stress (Kerosene Oil)

Kerosene (crude oil) is one of the most common persistent organic pollutant that is very harmful for plants morphologically and physiologically. Therefore, present study is aimed to investigate the ameliorating potential of AgNPs on the growth and physiology of carrot (Daucus carota L.) under hydrocarbon stress (kerosene oil). Kerosene oil stress caused a significant reduction in all morphological parameters such as root diameter, root length, root weight, shoot weight, shoot length, number of leaves and fresh weight of leaves. Also remarkable reduction in the activity of nitrate reductase and peroxidase (NRA and POX). Application of AgNPs ameliorated the kerosene oil stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as decreasing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). Additionally, AgNPs enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes peroxidase, phenyl alanine ammonia lyase, polyphenol oxidase as well as increased nitrate reductase activity to mitigate kerosene stress. Keywords: Daucus carota, kerosene, antioxidant enzyme, silver nanoparticles