Synthesis and characterization of metal-based nanoparticles and their effect on seed quality parameters of American varieties of cotton

Abstract

Cotton seeds are poor germinator than other crops because of high sensitivity towards insect pests and other biotic and abiotic stresses during germination process. Various researches are done to increase seed quality parameters of cotton seeds but application of nanoparticles was never used for same. Literature regarding interaction of seed quality of cotton and nanotechnology is not available till date. Seeds of two American varieties (H 1300 and H 1098-i) of cotton were treated with different concentration (0 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, 200 ppm and 400 ppm) of three different nanoparticles (Zinc oxide nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles and Titanium dioxide nanoparticles) and their bulk form Zn(NO3)2·4H2O, AgNO3 and [Ti{OCH(CH3)2}4], respectively. Seeds were also nanoprimed with above-mentioned concentration of nanoparticles. Effect of seed treatments was observed for germination percentage and seed vigour indices in laboratory conditions and for seedling establishment and speed of germination in field conditions. Nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical method and characterization of nanoparticles was done by FESEM, HRTEM, UV/Vis analysis and FTIR. Characterization of nanoparticles confirmed that the size of chemically synthesized nanoparticles was in nano range. The average particle size of ZnONPs, AgNPs and TiO2NPs was 36.25 nm, 69.35 nm and 39.40 nm, respectively. It was witnessed that dissimilar concentration of nanoparticles showed non-significant effect on seed quality in laboratory as well as seedling establishment and speed of emergence in field condition. Nanopriming with nanoparticles is more suitable for seed treatment over seed treatment with nano form (powder form) and bulk form. It was also noticed that ZnONPs and TiO2NPs increased seed quality parameters but silver had slightly negative effects. Maximum seed germination and seed vigour indices in laboratory and seedling establishment and speed of emergence in field condition was found when seeds were nanoprimed with 400 ppm of ZnONPs and 200 ppm of TiO2NPs. It could be concluded that problem of low germinability and vigour of cotton seeds could be minimized by seed treatment with nanoparticles.