Multifaceted Effect of Copper Nanoparticle on the plant of Artemisia annua L.

Artemisia annua L., a well-known medicinal plant and the primary natural source of artemisinin, plays a crucial role in pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications. The present study investigates the multifaceted effects of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on the growth, biochemical, and phytochemical attributes of A. annua. Copper is an essential micronutrient involved in various enzymatic and metabolic processes; however, its nanoparticulate form may exert both stimulatory and toxic effects depending on concentration and exposure duration. The study evaluates the impact of different concentrations 18 μg/ml, 36 μg/ml and 54 μg/m of CuNPs on seed germination, plant height,  Internodal length, Days to 50% flowering,  chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and secondary metabolite production. Results indicate that lower concentrations of CuNPs enhance germination rate, photosynthetic pigment content, leading to improved growth performance.  Conversely, higher concentrations induce oxidative stress, membrane damage, and growth inhibition due to excessive reactive oxygen species generation. Overall, the findings demonstrate a dose-dependent dual role of copper nanoparticles, highlighting their potential as nano-fertilizers or elicitors for enhanced phytochemical production when applied at optimized concentrations. This study provides valuable insights into nanoparticle–plant interactions and supports the sustainable application of nanotechnology in medicinal plant cultivation.