Effects of nanoparticle treatments on propagation of Prunus mahaleb L. by seed

Abstract

We examined the effects of nanoparticles (NPs) of TiO2 and ZnO at 0.5, 1, 2 or 3% concentrations for 10, 20, and 30 min in stratified seeds of Prunus mahaleb Linnaeus. Then, seedlings produced were irrigated to field capacity with NP solutions at control, 1, 5, and 10% concentration for 7 months in the greenhouse conditions. Treating seeds at 1% concentrations of TiO2-NPs for 20 min resulted in the highest germination percentage (65%) and at concentrations of 3% for 30 min it showed the lowest germination percentage (13%). The highest total seedling height was obtained after exposure of seeds to 0.5% TiO2-NPs for 10 min. Irrigation of seedlings with TiO2-NPs at the concentration of 1% seems to be a suitable method how to increase their total height, survival, and total dry weight. A decrease in the relative water content and an increase in proline were observed in response to the application of high levels of NPs.

Keywords

• germination percentage
• growth characteristics
• proline
• relative water content
• seed dormancy
• survival