Effect of simultaneous application of carbon quantum dots and mycorrhizal fungi on the yield and essential oil quality of grapefruit mint (Mentha suaveolens × piperita) under drought stress conditions

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Graduate in Agrotechnology, Crop Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, East Azerbaijan, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, East Azerbaijan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Rising global temperatures, irregular rainfall, and the depletion of freshwater resources have increased the need to develop sustainable strategies that can reduce the harmful effects of water scarcity on plant systems. Grapefruit mint (Mentha suaveolens × M. piperita), an aromatic and medicinally valuable plant, has attracted attention due to its wide uses in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Despite its significance, little research has studied its physiological, biochemical, and secondary metabolite responses to drought stress, especially under the effects of emerging nanomaterials and beneficial microorganisms. Combining carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with AMF as a bio-nanotechnological approach may offer an innovative and eco-friendly way to enhance plant performance during drought. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of CQDs and AMF on the physiological, biochemical, and essential oil characteristics of grapefruit mint under different drought conditions.
 
Materials and Methods
The experiment was carried out in 2023 under controlled greenhouse conditions using a factorial arrangement within a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. The study included two factors: irrigation level and treatment type. Irrigation was applied at three levels, representing full irrigation (90% of field capacity), mild drought stress (70%), and severe drought stress (50%). The treatment factor comprised six groups: control, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), carbon quantum dots at 5 ppm (CQD5), carbon quantum dots at 10 ppm (CQD10), AMF + CQD10, and AMF + CQD5. CQDs were applied as foliar sprays at designated concentrations, and AMF inoculum was added to the rhizosphere at planting following standard cultivation practices. The physiological and biochemical traits measured included root colonization percentage, nutrient content (N, P, K), photosynthetic pigments and carotenoids, total phenolics and flavonoids, dry matter, essential oil content and yield, and essential oil composition. All data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA appropriate for the factorial CRD design, and mean comparisons were performed using LSD at a 5% significance level.
 
Results and discussion
Drought stress, carbon quantum dots (CQDs), and AMF significantly influenced the physiological and biochemical traits of Grapefruit mint. Notably, root colonization reached its maximum under AMF inoculation without drought stress, confirming effective symbiotic establishment. In addition, nutrient concentrations (N, P, K) were highest under non-stress conditions with the combined AMF + CQD treatment, which contributed to enhanced nutrient assimilation and overall plant vigor. Similarly, chlorophyll a and b content peaked under optimal irrigation with the combined treatment, while dry matter accumulation was also greatest under non-stress conditions, reflecting improved photosynthetic efficiency and biomass production. Conversely, under mild drought stress, carotenoids, total phenolics, and flavonoids were significantly elevated with the combined AMF + CQD treatment, indicating the activation of antioxidant defenses and osmotic adjustment mechanisms. These findings suggest that moderate drought can stimulate secondary metabolism, thereby enhancing plant resilience to water deficit. Furthermore, essential oil content and yield were maximized under mild drought stress with AMF + CQD10, highlighting a synergistic effect between moderate water deficit and the treatment on secondary metabolite production. The essential oil profile was dominated by linalyl acetate, linalool, thymol, and geranyl acetate. Interestingly, CQD5 without drought stress produced the highest linalyl acetate content, whereas mild drought stress combined with CQD10 resulted in maximum linalool accumulation, demonstrating that both drought severity and CQD concentration regulate essential oil biosynthesis and composition.
 
Conclusion
In summary, the integration of carbon quantum dots with arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation appears to be an effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable strategy to improve drought tolerance in grapefruit mint. This combined approach not only mitigates the negative impacts of water deficit but also enhances physiological performance, biochemical resilience, and essential oil quantity and quality. The results highlight the potential of bio–nano synergistic technologies as innovative tools for sustainable medicinal plant production, especially under increasingly variable climatic conditions. These findings may contribute to the development of advanced agricultural practices aimed at reducing chemical fertilizer dependency while improving crop productivity and phytochemical richness.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

 
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Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences

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Available Online from 13 December 2025

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  • Receive Date: 22 October 2024
  • Revise Date: 25 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 01 December 2024

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