The impacts of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO₂NPs) at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mg/L) on seed germination and growth of seedlings in three genotypes (HHB-67, RHB-173, and MPMH-17) of Pennisetum glaucum ((L.) R. Br.) were investigated by seed priming method. Among the various tested concentrations, 75 mg/L of SiO₂NPs enhanced final germination percentage (FGP), seed vigour index-1 (SVI-I), seed vigour index-II (SVI-II), seedling fresh weight and dry weight of genotype HHB-67 and RHB-173 in comparison to untreated seedlings. But in genotype MPMH-17, the germination parameters were enhanced at 50 mg/L of SiO₂NPs concentration in comparison to control. This study clearly indicates that SiO₂NPs boosts several germination parameters along with overall growth of Pennisetum. This positive role of SiO₂NPs is dosage dependent and after a threshold, it shows negative impacts on germination parameters.

PDF (Download Full text)

Download Citation (XML)