Influence of Nano Iron Oxide Foliar Spray on Selected Phytohormones of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) Under Salinity Stress

• Sarah Fahkreldeen Zainy 1*, Fatima karim khudair Alasadi 2

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The experiment was carried out in a pot experiment method at nursery of The Holy Karbala Governorate (Al-Hafidh Street) during winter season 2025-2026 , to study the effect of foliar application of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃) on some phytohormones in chamomile plant (Matricaria chamomilla L.) grown in sandy loam soil. The experiment was designed as a two factor factorial trial in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications. The first factor was salinity in four levels (S: 2, 4, 6, and 8 dS m⁻¹), and the second factor was four concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles (F: 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg L⁻¹). The herbicide was foliar sprayed at 4 growth stages, i.e., 6-leaf stage, 10-leaf stage, 15-leaf stage and pre-flowering stage. A total of 64 experimental units were used in the experiment. Statistical analysis of the data indicated: The individual treatments were statistically significant in improving gibberellic acid (GA), abscisic acid (ABA), proline, and relative water content (RWC%), significantly in those treated with iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) via foliar application. The maximum concentrations were 73.02, 199.4, and 51.40 mg kg−1, and 83.04% compared to the control treatment (63.41, 159.2, and 39.81 mg kg−1, and 76.38%, respectively). Gibberellic acid, abscisic acid, proline content, and relative water content were significantly different in each of the treatments according salinity stress. The maximum values were 70.16, 205.1, 45.95 mg kg⁻¹, and 80.93%, while those of from the control were 63.78, 160.3, 43.14 mg kg⁻¹, and 77.92%, respectively. Interaction results of the foliar application of the iron oxide nanoparticles and irrigation with saline irrigation concentrations (levels)for all studied traits were significant (Table 2). For the treatments S₀F₃, S₂F₀, S₃F₀, and S₂F₃, the highest values recorded were 79.02, 259.5, and 60.14 mg kg⁻¹, as well as 87.81%, respectively, while the control values were 58.00, 151.31, and 33.61 mg kg⁻¹, as well as 73.89%, respectively.

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