Various Forms of Foliar Applied Zinc Improve Drought Acclimation in Pomegranate: Response of Photosynthesis, Osmoregulation and Antioxidant Defense

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is considered as a source of antioxidants with anticancer and antiviral activities. Optimal nutrition, especially the use of various forms of minerals can alleviate drought stress as a major challenge for pomegranate production. In this study, the effect of foliar application of various forms of zinc [zinc sulfate (5 and 10 mg L−1 of ZnSO4) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (5 and 10 mg L−1 of ZnO-NPs) and distilled water as a control] on some physiological and biochemical attributes of pomegranate plants under various levels of drought stress (100, 60 and 30