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ARTICLE

Effect of the scarification methods on the germination and growth of seeds of the Fabaceae family members in presence of silver nanoparticles

by Vázquez Núñez E, S Awate, MC Carrasco Monrroy

1 Department of Chemical, Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Guanajuato. Lomas del Bosque 103, León, Guanajuato, México, MX37150
2 Centre for Environment Education, Central Regional Cell, 167/1 New DP Road, Aundh, Pune 411007, India
3 Environmental Engineering Department, Universidad Tecnológica de Tula-Tepeji, Tula de Allende, Hidalgo, México, MX43830.

Address correspondence to: Edgar Vázquez Núñez, tel: +52 473 732 00 06; e-mail:

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2018, 87(all), 216-224. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2018.87.216

Abstract

The effect of scarification methods and silver nanoparticles on plantlets growth were tested on seeds of plants belonging to the Fabaceae family (Prosopis laevigata, Acacia farnesiana and Erythrina americana), which are predominant species in semi-arid ecosystems in Mexico. The scarification methods consisted in using coarse sand paper and two different concentrations of sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄ 98% and H₂SO₄ 50%); immersion of seeds in distilled water was used as a control. The percentage of germination was calculated and the Kotowski´s coefficient was determined. After scarification, the seeds were immersed in silver nanoparticles solutions at different concentrations i.e., 100 mg/L, 500 mg/L and 1000 mg/L. Thereafter, seeds were incubated in Petri dishes. Root and shoot lengths and dry biomass were measured at 7, 14 and 30 days. The mechanical scarification showed the maximum level of germination in the three tested plants. A negative effect was observed on the root/shoot of the plantlets exposed to silver nanoparticles solutions at different concentrations.

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