Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) showed promise in mitigating salinity stress in Moldavian balm, enhancing growth and essential oil production. While generally beneficial, high concentrations of TiO2 NPs did show some signs of toxicity, suggesting a careful balancing act for optimal application in agriculture.

The authors declare no competing interests, but the study received partial funding from JSPS and MEXT, which may influence research direction or interpretation. Further transparency on funding details and potential biases would be beneficial.

This study provides compelling evidence for the positive effects of TiO2 NPs in mitigating salinity stress in Moldavian balm. It investigates a range of plant characteristics, including agronomic parameters, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence, biochemical traits, and essential oil profile, offering a comprehensive analysis of TiO2's impact. The study's methodology is generally sound, employing a factorial experiment with a completely randomized design and statistical analysis. However, there are some limitations, including the lack of detailed investigation into subcellular localization of TiO2, potential toxicity at high concentrations, and the mechanisms of TiO2's interaction with secondary metabolites. Despite these limitations, the study's findings contribute significantly to the understanding of TiO2's role in mitigating salinity stress and hold promising potential for agricultural applications. The declared lack of COI is acknowledged, although the funding from JSPS and MEXT is noted as a possible source of influence that could have been addressed more transparently.