13001 10.30848/PJB2026-1(3) <p> Foliar application of nano titanium dioxide mitigates drought stress in <em>Moringa peregrina</em></p> Faheema Khan, Fatimah Alshudukhi and Asma A. Al-Huqail <p> Drought stress is one of the most significant environmental factors limiting plant growth and productivity. In this regard, applying nano-fertilizers is a favorable emerging method for reducing abiotic stresses. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of different concentrations of TiO₂ NPs on the morphological, physiological, and antioxidative response of <em>Moringa peregrina</em> grown under drought stress. The suspensions of nano-TiO₂ in the varying concentrations (D=0, T1=50, T2=100 and T3=200 mg/L) were applied as foliar spray to<em> M. peregrina</em> seedlings after 4 weeks of emergence for three continuous days. The seedlings were irrigated with distilled water every 3 days until the relative soil water content reached approximately 30%. Untreated pots (control) were irrigated with tap water continuously. Later, data for different morphological and biochemical parameters were determined in triplicate. The results so obtained showed that the treatment of <em>M. peregrina</em> under drought stress with TiO₂ NPs enhanced the total chlorophyll content, total soluble proteins, proline content, and antioxidant enzyme activities in dose-dependent manner compared to those of non-treated plants. It is concluded from the present study that drought stress-induced damages, such as oxidative stress and membrane impairment, can be ameliorated by foliar application of TiO₂ NPs. Therefore, an appropriate concentration of TiO₂ NPs can be used as an exogenous stimulus for enhancing morphological and biochemical performances in <em>M. peregrina</em> under drought stress.</p> <p> &nbsp;</p> Published 2026 58 1 41 50