Effect of nanosilver (nAg) on disinfection, growth, and chemical composition of young barley leaves under in vitro conditions

Abstract

Cereals, including barley, have been playing a key role in human diet for a long time. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of nanosilver (nAg) on limitation of infections, morphological features, and their chemical composition of young barley seedlings under in vitro condition. Addition of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg dm−3 nAg into MS medium was used. Obtained results showed that the effect on the morphological features depended on the nAg concentration. The addition of 6 and 8 mg dm−3 nAg into MS medium limited the number of infected barley embryos in vitro, whereas 4 and 8 mg dm−3 nAg resulted in the highest seedlings with the longest roots. nAg in the medium affected the colour of leaves and increased the contents of chlorophyll and β-carotene, in particular in seedlings growing in MS medium supplied with 6 mg dm−3 nAg. The addition of 8 mg dm−3 had the greatest effect on the contents of vitamin C and E in young barley seedlings. It was found that the contents of K and Ca in the young barley leaves were lower, as compared to control plants. The presence of 6 mg dm−3 nAg in the medium resulted in an increased contents of N, Mg, Zn, Cu, and P. Hence, a diversified effect of nAg on individual groups of polyphenolic compounds was noticed. The presence of 2 and 8 mg dm−3 nAg caused higher content values of polyphenolic compounds in young barley leaves.

Keywords

• polyphenols
• mineral compositions
• micro propagation
• contaminations
• Hordeum vulgare