3 research outputs found
Silver nanoparticles preplant bulb soaking affects tulip production
Nanomaterials and particularly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have increased great interest in many fields of science. The element may affect plant growth and development but so far research studies have been scarce and their results disparate. Tulip is one of the most important ornamental plants and its production technology is constantly being improved. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AgNPs on growth and yield attributes of tulip cv. âPink Impressionâ. Before planting, the tulip âPink Impressionâ bulbs were soaked in the following concentrations of AgNPs: 25, 50, 100 and 150â
mgâ
L-1. Control bulbs were soaked in deionized water. The plants were forced in a greenhouse for two growing seasons. The tulips treated with 100â
mgâ
Lâ1 AgNPs flowered earlier, had longer cut-flower stem, larger petals, greater stem diameter and cut-flower fresh weight. Moreover, at this concentration of AgNPs, they showed increased leaf greenness index (SPAD), stomatal conductance, root fresh weight, root length and produced daughter bulbs of the greatest weight. The study outcomes indicate that AgNPs may be used as plant growth promoters in horticulture