Effect of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles on the Storability of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Seeds under Ambient Condition

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are considered a bio safe material for organisms. Earlier studies have demonstrated the potential of ZnO-NPs for stimulation of seed germination and plant growth as disease suppression and plant protection by virtue of their antimicrobial activity. Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound it appears in white powder. (ZnO) have a potential application as a bacteriostatic agent and can be used to control the spread and infection of variety of pathogens. These results could indicate that a low zincs concentration in seeds has an important physiological role during seed germination and early seedling growth. Zinc is a constituent of an enzyme influencing the secretion of indole acetic acid (IAA), which is a phytohormone (auxin) which significantly regulates plant growth by increasing the level of IAA, zinc gives a positive response in seed germination The lab experiment was conducted on Onion seed storage using ZnO Nano-particles under ambient conditions for 3 months at Seed testing laboratory, Department of genetics and plant breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, (U.P.). The present investigation was carried out, in different concentrations of ZnO Nano particle (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140) ppm along with control (untreated) and stored in two types of packaging materials aluminium foil pouch(P1) and tin container (P2), and onion seed variety is Pusa round. The Lab experiment was conducted in factorial CRD with 4 Replications. The Observations recorded on the storage containers of the onion seedling on physiological and biochemical parameters. The results of lab experiment revealed that Aluminium foil pouch (P1) packaging material is better in germination percent, speed of germination, first count, root length, shoot length, seedling length, fresh weight, dry weight, vigour index, seed density, dehydrogenase activity, catalase activity and exhibited moisture percent and electrical conductivity as compared to tin container at end of 3 months storage. Seeds are treated with ZnO @50 ppm (T5) for 2 hours soaking in distilled water, exhibits the better results in seed quality parameters. As compared to control followed by ZnO @70ppm (T7) at the end of 3 months of storage. The study concluded that the seed germination and seedling length is increased in lower concentrations, however showed decreased in higher concentration.