As a novel antioxidant, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) can be used to reduce the adverse effects of various abiotic stresses, especially drought stress. Drought stress is a major problem in the vegetative and reproductive stages of “Mexican lime” (Citrus aurantifolia (Christ.) Swingle), which is known as a main horticultural plant. The aim of the current investigation was to study the impact of SNP on biochemical, morphological, and physiological characteristics of “Mexican lime” under drought stress in vitro condition. This study was performed as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with four replications. Drought stress was induced by using polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) in four levels (0, 1, 2, and 3%) in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. To evaluate the effect of SNP in ameliorating drought stress, various concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 μM) of SNP were supplemented to MS medium. The results showed that drought stress led to a reduction in shoot number, shoot length, leaf number, and fresh and dry weight. The application of 25 μM SNP resulted in a favorable impact on these parameters. Also, the highest level of total proline content, electrolyte leakage, and antioxidant enzyme activities were observed under severe drought stress induced by 3% PEG (− 0.3 MPa water potentials).

作为一种新型抗氧化剂，硝普钠（SNP）可用于减轻各种非生物胁迫，尤其是干旱胁迫的不利影响。干旱胁迫是“墨西哥酸橙”（Citrus aurantifolia ）营养和繁殖阶段的主要问题（基督。）Swingle），它被称为主要的园艺植物。本研究的目的是研究 SNP 在体外干旱胁迫下对“墨西哥石灰”生化、形态和生理特征的影响。这项研究是作为基于完全随机设计的析因实验进行的，重复四次。通过在 Murashige 和 Skoog (MS) 培养基中以四个水平（0、1、2 和 3%）使用聚乙二醇 (PEG 6000) 诱导干旱胁迫。为了评估 SNP 在改善干旱胁迫中的作用，将不同浓度（0、25、50 和 100 μM）的 SNP 添加到 MS 培养基中。结果表明，干旱胁迫导致枝条数、枝条长度、叶数以及鲜重和干重的减少。25 μM SNP 的应用对这些参数产生了有利影响。此外，在 3% PEG（- 0.3 MPa 水势）诱导的严重干旱胁迫下观察到最高水平的总脯氨酸含量、电解质泄漏和抗氧化酶活性。