The Role of Nano-Titanium and Nano-Curcumin in the Production of Biofuel from Sunflower Plants (Helianthus annuus L.) Exposed to Water Stress

Rahaf W. Mamoud; Eman Hussain Hadi  Al-Hayani

doi:10.30526/39.3.4326

Authors

Rahaf W. Mamoud Department of Biology, College of Education Pure Science (Ibn Al-Haitham), University of Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4634-8128
Eman Hussain Hadi Al-Hayani Department of Biology, College of Education Pure Science (Ibn Al-Haitham), University of Baghdad, Iraq. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2505-9397

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30526/39.3.4326

Keywords:

Titanium, Curcumin, Nanoparticles, Biodiesel, Helinthus annuns L, Water stress

Abstract

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the economically important crops that can be used for biofuel production, which aids in protecting the environment against the negative effects of fossil fuels. There is an increasing need for employing modern materials and technologies such as nanotechnology as the Iraqi environment is subjected to more heat waves and desertification. One of these modern materials is nano-titanium, which is distinguished by its small particle size and high efficiency for agricultural applications. Natural extracts such as curcumin are used due to their curcumin content, a phenolic compound that allows plants to endure periods of drought and limited water availability. To that end, a field experiment was executed in the Botanical Garden of the Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Sciences (Ibn Al-Haitham), University of Baghdad, during the growing season of 2024-2025. This research study was aimed at examining the impact of spraying with nano-titanium at concentrations (0, 50, 100 mg.L⁻¹) and nano-curcumin at concentrations (0, 25, 75 mg.L⁻¹) on sunflower plants that were subjected to water stress by using different irrigation intervals (5, 10, and 15 days), including a control treatment. The findings indicated a significant impact on plant height, number of leaves, the water content, total chlorophyll concentration, vitamin E level, and the percentage of seed oil. Furthermore, the interactions among treatments were significantly effective with respect to most of the studied traits

Author Biographies

Rahaf W. Mamoud, Department of Biology, College of Education Pure Science (Ibn Al-Haitham), University of Baghdad, Iraq

University of Baghdad, College of Education for pure science, Department of Biology
Eman Hussain Hadi Al-Hayani, Department of Biology, College of Education Pure Science (Ibn Al-Haitham), University of Baghdad, Iraq.

Department of Biology, College of Education Pure Science (Ibn Al-Haitham), University of Baghdad, Iraq.

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