Abstract
Application of nanomaterials for agriculture is relatively new as compared to their use in biomedical and industrial sectors. In order to promote sustainable nanoagriculture, biocompatible silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized through green route using kaffir lime leaf extract for use as nanopriming agent for enhancing seed germination of rice aged seeds. Results of various characterization techniques showed the successful formation of AgNPs which were capped with phytochemicals present in the plant extract. Rice aged seeds primed with phytosynthesized AgNPs at 5 and 10 ppm significantly improved germination performance and seedling vigor compared to unprimed control, AgNO3 priming, and conventional hydropriming. Nanopriming could enhance α-amylase activity, resulting in higher soluble sugar content for supporting seedlings growth. Furthermore, nanopriming stimulated the up-regulation of aquaporin genes in germinating seeds. Meanwhile, more ROS production was observed in germinating seeds of nanopriming treatment compared to unprimed control and other priming treatments, suggesting that both ROS and aquaporins play important roles in enhancing seed germination. Different mechanisms underlying nanopriming-induced seed germination were proposed, including creation of nanopores for enhanced water uptake, rebooting ROS/antioxidant systems in seeds, generation of hydroxyl radicals for cell wall loosening, and nanocatalyst for fastening starch hydrolysis.
Highlights
Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize the agriculture and play an important role in food and crop production[1, 2]
Eco-friendly synthesis of AgNPs was successfully demonstrated through the use of kaffir lime leaves extracts as natural reducing and stabilizing agents
We demonstrated that AgNPs can be applied as nanopriming agent for enhancing seed germination and starch metabolism of rice aged seeds
Summary
Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize the agriculture and play an important role in food and crop production[1, 2]. There is a growing need to develop new priming agents to enhance seed germination of various crop plants. Several metal-based NPs (e.g., AgNPs16, AuNPs5, CuNPs17,18, FeNPs17, FeS2NPs19, TiO2NPs20, ZnNPs17,18, ZnONPs21) and carbon-based NPs (e.g., fullerene[22] and carbon nanotubes23) have been applied as seed pre-treatment agents for promoting seed germination, seedling growth, and stress tolerance in some crop plants. Among these studies, only a few researchers have used seed priming strategy, in which seeds must be re-dried to their original moisture content before sowing. Comprehensive studies on physiological and molecular mechanism of nanopriming effects on seed germination have not been elucidated, and there are many questions remained to be addressed, especially mechanism behind NPs-induced seed germination
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