Investigation of Seed Germination Indices and Anthocyanin Content of Niger ( Guizotia abyssinica ) Seedling under the Effect of Three Nanoparticles

Introduction: The use of nanotechnology as a diverse and applied discipline is ongoing in almost all areas of science. Fertilizers and nano-nutrients have the effective properties which help the production of plants, depending on their needs to regulate the plant growth. Plants under stress conditions tend to produce natural nanoparticles to continue their growth. Nano TiO 2 has a highly photocatalytic effect and as a catalyst, it is mainly used in water, electronic devices, conversion and storage equipment of energy as suspension. Sources of SiO 2 are very diverse, including natural nanoparticles, anthropogenic particles and engineering nanoparticles. Although silicon is not an essential element for growth in many crops, it has beneficial effects on plant growth and development. Today, carbon nanotubes are one of the most important materials in industrial programs. These materials, with different production methods and specific properties, can play an important role in the production of composite materials and have applications in medicine, electronics and energy storage. The Niger plant, with the scientific name of Goizotia abyssinica (L.F) Cass, belongs to the Asteraceae family. Its seeds are used in pharmacy, are produced by exposure to stress due to their antioxidant activity. In general, it can be said that increasing the concentration of nanoparticles causes the oxidative stress in the plant and the subsequent increase. Therefore, it is recommended that by investigating the bad effects of nanoparticles on plants, if necessary, use be made of nanoparticles at low concentrations (less than 60 mg/l) to increase the plant's efficiency.


Investigation of Seed Germination Indices and Anthocyanin Content of Niger (Guizotia abyssinica) Seedling under the Effect of Three Nanoparticles
Moazzameh Eskandarinasab 1 , Mohammad Rafieiolhossaini 2, * , Partoo Roshandel 2 and Mahmoud Reza Tadayon 3 Extended abstract Introduction: The use of nanotechnology as a diverse and applied discipline is ongoing in almost all areas of science. Fertilizers and nano-nutrients have the effective properties which help the production of plants, depending on their needs to regulate the plant growth. Plants under stress conditions tend to produce natural nanoparticles to continue their growth. Nano TiO 2 has a highly photocatalytic effect and as a catalyst, it is mainly used in water, electronic devices, conversion and storage equipment of energy as suspension. Sources of SiO 2 are very diverse, including natural nanoparticles, anthropogenic particles and engineering nanoparticles. Although silicon is not an essential element for growth in many crops, it has beneficial effects on plant growth and development. Today, carbon nanotubes are one of the most important materials in industrial programs. These materials, with different production methods and specific properties, can play an important role in the production of composite materials and have applications in medicine, electronics and energy storage. The Niger plant, with the scientific name of Goizotia abyssinica (L.F) Cass, belongs to the Asteraceae family. Its seeds are used in pharmacy, food industry, green manure and for feeding birds and cows. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of type and concentration of three nanoparticles on some germination characteristics and anthocyanins content in Niger medicinal-oily plant.
Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate the effect of three nanoparticles on seed germination of Niger, an experiment was conducted as factorial in a completely randomized design with four replications. The treatments of TiO 2 , SiO 2 , and CNT were used as the first factor while their concentrations in four levels (zero, 10, 30 and 60 mg/l) were considered as the second factor. In this study, the traits of germination percentage, germination rate and mean of daily germination, germination and vigour index, length, fresh and dry weight of radicle and plumule, anthocyanin content and radicle resistance percentage were measured.
Results: The germination percentage, germination rate and mean of daily germination decreased by increases in nanoparticles concentration. The favorable effect of TiO 2 on germination index was obtained at the concentration of 30 mg/l and radicle dry weight at the concentration of 10 mg/l, compared to the control. The positive effect of SiO 2 was obtained on germination index and radicle dry weight at the concentrations of 10 and 60 mg/l, the anthocyanin content and the fresh and dry weight of plumule at the concentration of 60 mg/l, compared to the control. In addition, the appropriate effect of CNT on germination index was observed at the concentration of 10 and 30 mg/l, the anthocyanin content and radicle dry weight at the concentration of 60 mg/l and plumule fresh weight at the concentration of 30 mg/l.
Conclusions: According to the results of this study, it seems that the effect of nanoparticles in plants, apart from the plant itself, species, type and concentration of nanoparticles, varies depending on the growth stage and physiology of the plant. It seems that nanoparticles can increase the water absorption of seeds at some concentrations and increase seedling growth, which is because of their positive effects. Anthocyanins are produced by exposure to stress due to their antioxidant activity. In general, it can be said that increasing the concentration of nanoparticles causes the oxidative stress in the plant and the subsequent increase. Therefore, it is recommended that by investigating the bad effects of nanoparticles on plants, if necessary, use be made of nanoparticles at low concentrations (less than 60 mg/l) to increase the plant's efficiency.

Keywords: CNT, Mean of daily germination, Radicle dry weight, SiO 2 , TiO 2
Highlights: 1-The effect of kind and concentration of nanoparticles on seed germination indices and anthocyanin content of Niger seedling. 2-Investigating the interaction effect of nanoparticle type and concentration as the physical priming factor of seeds on seed germination of multi-purpose Niger plant.