Enhancing seed germination and seedlings development of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) by SiO2 nanoparticles

Abstract

Our knowledge concerning the mode of action of engineered nanoparticles in agriculture is still lacking. The key point of this study is to investigate the role of nano-silica (NS) to enhance seed germination and growth development of common bean. Four different concentrations of NS suspensions (100, 200, 300, and 400 mg L-1) were supplemented to nursery and growth media. Our results showed that 300 mg L-1 of NS increased the final germination percentage from 82.3 to 97.7%, germination speed from 24.9 to 36.2% / day, vigour index from 14.3 to 20.2, and decreased the mean germination time from 4.3 to 3.3 days. Strikingly, 300 mg L-1 of NS increased the root dry mass of common bean seedlings by 93.5%, shoot dry mass by 78.7%, root length by 32.7%, and shoot length by 13.2% versus untreated seedlings.This study proved that NS is able to improve germination and growth of common bean as a result for altering some physiochemical reactions after penetrating the seed coat.