Different techniques have been used to alleviate metal toxicity in medicinal plants, accordingly, nanoparticles (NPs) have a noticeable interest in modulating oxidative stresses. Therefore, this work aimed to compare the impacts of silicon (Si), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) NPs on growth, physiological status, and essential oil (EO) of sage (Salvia o cinalis L.) treated with foliar application of Si, Se, and Zn NPs upon lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) stresses. The results showed that Se, Si, and Zn NPs decreased Pb accumulation by 35, 43, and 40%, and Cd concentration by 29, 39, and 36% in sage leaves. Shoot plant weight showed a noticeable reduction upon Cd (41%) and Pb (35%) stress; however, NPs, particularly Si and Zn improved plant weight under metal toxicity. Metal toxicity diminished relative water content (RWC) and chlorophyll, whereas NPs signi cantly enhanced these variables. The noticeable raises in malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL) were observed in plants exposed to metal toxicity, however, they were alleviated with foliar application of NPs. The EO content and EO yield of sage plants decreased by the heavy metals but increased by the NPs. Accordingly, Se, Si, and Zn NPS elevated EO yield by 36, 37, and 43%, respectively, compared with non-NPs. The GC/MS analysis showed that the primary EO constituents were 1,8 Cinoele, α-thujone, β-thujone, and camphor with different amounts of heavy metals and NPs. According to principal component analysis (PCA), α-thujone and camphor were justi ed by F1, while 1,8 cineole and β-thujone were explained by F2. This study showed that NPs especially Si and Zn increased plant growth by modulating Pb and Cd toxicity.

The present study was carried out to assess the effects of bio-organic and inorganic fertilizers on plant nutrients, essential oil composition and antioxidant capacity of Satureja macrantha L. The experiment included nine treatments viz., NPK (50:25:25 kg ha−1), Vermicompost (VC) (5 t ha–1), NPK +VC, Thiobacillus (T), T+VC, T+sulfur (S) (250 kg ha−1), T+S 500 kg ha−1, Glomus mosseae, and control (untreated plants). The results showed the highest Essential Oil (EO) content and yield were respectively observed in plants treated with the combination of VC and NPK. Total Phenol Content (TPC) in first-year plants treated with VC and second-year plants under NPK+VC were higher than other experimental plants. Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) in second-year plants under the combination of NPK was greater than other plants. N content in first year plants treated with NPK fertilizer / combination of NPK and VC was higher compared to other experimental plants. The highest P content was observed in the NPK application in first year. Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses revealed that the main constitutes of S. macrantha EO were p- Cymene (16.30-34.64%), γ-terpinene (15.46-33.6%), and Thymol (14.82-43.09%), which had different responses to sampling time and fertilizer treatments.

Different techniques have been used to alleviate metal toxicity in medicinal plants, accordingly, nanoparticles (NPs) have a noticeable interest in modulating oxidative stresses. Therefore, this work aimed to compare the impacts of silicon (Si), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) NPs on growth, physiological status, and essential oil (EO) of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) treated with foliar application of Si, Se, and Zn NPs upon lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) stresses. The results showed that Se, Si, and Zn NPs decreased Pb accumulation by 35, 43, and 40%, and Cd concentration by 29, 39, and 36% in sage leaves. Shoot plant weight showed a noticeable reduction upon Cd (41%) and Pb (35%) stress; however, NPs, particularly Si and Zn improved plant weight under metal toxicity. Metal toxicity diminished relative water content (RWC) and chlorophyll, whereas NPs significantly enhanced these variables. The noticeable raises in malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL) were observed in plants exposed to metal toxicity, however, they were alleviated with foliar application of NPs. The EO content and EO yield of sage plants decreased by the heavy metals but increased by the NPs. Accordingly, Se, Si, and Zn NPS elevated EO yield by 36, 37, and 43%, respectively, compared with non-NPs. The GC/MS analysis showed that the primary EO constituents were 1,8 Cinoele, α-thujone, β-thujone, and camphor with different amounts of heavy metals and NPs. According to principal component analysis (PCA), α-thujone and camphor were justified by F1, while 1,8 cineole and β-thujone were explained by F2. This study showed that NPs especially Si and Zn increased plant growth by modulating Pb and Cd toxicity.