Influence of Copper Oxide and Silver Nanoparticles on Microclonal Sprouts of Downy Birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.)

Abstract

The effects of using nanoparticles of copper oxide (5–40 nm) and silver (10–30 nm) in the clonal micropropagation of downy birch were studied. The addition of nanoparticles to WPM medium (Woody plant medium) at the stage of introducing explants into culture in vitro helps reduce the infection of explants by 15–25%, as well as increase their morphogenic potential. The use of colloidal solutions of CuO and Ag nanoparticles when transferring birch microplants to greenhouses reduces the number of plants infected by phytopathogens increases their survival rate by 25%. A decrease in the overall infectious load and an increase in the adaptive potential due to nanoparticles improves the main growth and development indicators of downy birch plants. At the stages of multiplication and rooting of birch microclones, the introduction of CuO and Ag nanoparticles into WPM contributed to decreased viability; deterioration in the appearance, development of shoots and leaves; and a decrease in the microclone multiplication coefficient. No positive effect of the introduction of nanoparticles on the number of rooted birch microplants in vitro was found. Note that under the action of CuO nanoparticles, in contrast to Ag nanoparticles, the birch root system became more branched, with a large number of lateral roots. The results can be applied when using CuO and Ag nanoparticles in the biotechnology of plant clonal micropropagation.