ENHANCEMENT OF SEED GERMINATION AND PLANT GROWTH OF WHEAT, MAIZE, PEANUT AND GARLIC USING MULTIWALLED CARBON NANOTUBES

Abstract

The uptake of Carbon nanomaterials by plants has shown a very recent field of nano-agriculture. This work investigated about the beneficial effects of functionalized multiwalled Carbon nanotubes on wheat, maize, peanut and garlic. Here in, we explore the potential influence of 0-50 m g/mL, the MWCNT S on these different seeds at different concentration. The effects of MWCNT S on root and shoot growth, biomass, number of leaves were investigated. It was hypothesized that MWCNT S were able to penetrate the seed coat by creating new pores; thereby enhancing water uptake. The results of the combined morphological and physiological analysis indicate that after about 5-10 days exposure under our experimental conditions MWCNT S significantly enhances plant growth and biomass compared to control. The number and size of leaves of the MWCNT S treated plants had shown positive effects in a dose dependent manner. Nanotubes exposed seeds sprouted upto three to four times faster than controlled. TEM images of peanut root shows the presence of Carbon nanotubes that could explain the enhanced water delivery. Overall after investigation we conclude that low dose MWCNT S have seen to be beneficial, improving water absorption, found to accelerate the process of germination by shortening the germination time and higher biomass production. The uptake of Carbon nanomaterials by plants has shown a very recent field of nano-agriculture. This work investigated about the beneficial effects of functionalized multiwalled Carbon nanotubes on wheat, maize, peanut and garlic. Here in, we explore the potential influence of 0-50 m g/mL, the MWCNT S on these different seeds at different concentration. The effects of MWCNT S on root and shoot growth, biomass, number of leaves were investigated. It was hypothesized that MWCNT S were able to penetrate the seed coat by creating new pores; thereby enhancing water uptake. The results of the combined morphological and physiological analysis indicate that after about 5-10 days exposure under our experimental conditions MWCNT S significantly enhances plant growth and biomass compared to control. The number and size of leaves of the MWCNT S treated plants had shown positive effects in a dose dependent manner. Nanotubes exposed seeds sprouted upto three to four times faster than controlled. TEM images of peanut root shows the presence of Carbon nanotubes that could explain the enhanced water delivery. Overall after investigation we conclude that low dose MWCNT S have seen to be beneficial, improving water absorption, found to accelerate the process of germination by shortening the germination time and higher biomass production.