African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6915

Full Length Research Paper

Application of silver nano-particles for protection of seeds in different soils

Karimi N.1*, Minaei S.2, Almassi M.1 and Shahverdi A. R.3
  1Department of Agricultural Mechanization, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 2Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 3Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran.  
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 02 November 2011
  •  Published: 26 March 2012

Abstract

 

To investigate the possibility of using silver nano-particles for protection of a living organism, wheat seeds were nano-coated and planted. Effect of nano-treatment on seed germination and protection against fungi was compared with that of a conventional preplanting fungicide (Carboxitiram). Influence of soil conditions on the effectiveness of nano-seed treatment was also investigated. Soil conditions included different levels of nutrients, pH and moisture content. Results showed that soil conditions do not affect seed protection provided by silver nano-particles against fungi, and this effect is completely independent of soil conditions. Data analysis indicated that silver nano-particles do not reduce seed germinability. Moreover, seed protection afforded by silver nano-particles and Carboxitiram was not significantly different. Thus, nano-coating may be considered as potential preplanting fungicide.

 

Key words: Silver nano-particles, seed treatment, preplanting fungicide.