View article

Nanoparticles (NPs) can stimulate biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in plants. Mn NP is a less explored NP, and very little is known about interactions between Mn₂O₃ NPs and plants. The present study was conducted to explore the potential effects of Mn₂O₃ NPs on morphology, physiology and secondary metabolism of shoot tip cultures in the medicinal plant deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna). The MS culture medium was augmented with different concentrations (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg L⁻¹) of Mn₂O₃ NPs, and the medium with or without manganese sulfate (MnSO₄·4H₂O) was considered as positive and negative control, respectively. The addition of Mn₂O₃ NPs to culture media led to changes in morphology (root and shoot number per explants, root and shoot length, and root and shoot fresh weight) and physiology (leaf relative water content, total chlorophyll, hydrogen peroxide and …