Deciphering the iPBS retrotransposons based genetic diversity of nanoparticles induced in Vitro seedlings of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)

Abstract

The phytochemicals contained in hemp are highly significant and can be modified or altered by employing in vitro elicitors like nanoparticles (NPs). Application of NPs type, concentration, and treatment time regulate the germination, growth, and phytohemicals. In vitro sterilized seeds of cannabis were augmented on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with silver (Ag) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles at different concentrations (0, 200, 400, 800, 1200 and 1600mg/L) for one month. Results revealed that supplementation of NPs resulted in reduced germination (%), root length and longer shoots and seedling fresh wt compared to control. Maximum germination was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 1600mg/L TiO2NPs (92.50%) followed by 1600mg/L AgNPs (80.00%). Supplementation of 800mg/L AgNPs yielded longer shoots, roots, seedlings fresh weight, and chlorophyll-b contents compared to all other treatments. Whereas, maximum chlorophyll-a, carotenoids, and MDA contents were attributed to 1200mg/L TiO2NPs. PCR results using eight iPBS-retrotransposons primers yielded a total of 101 bands with 98 polymorphic bands. Whereas, minimum (0.28) and maximum (0.42) gene diversity was associated with 2095 and 2228 primers.