Silver nano-particles enhance the growth, yield and nutrient use efficiency of wheat - IJAAR

• Hafiz Muhammad Jhanzab*, Abdul Razzaq, Ghulam Jilani, Ammara Rehman, Abdul Hafeez, Farhat Yasmeen

• Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Application profile of nano particles is rapidly expanding even in agriculture. Silver nano particles (SNPs) are hypothesized to enhance nutrient use efficiency in plants. 

Present study was carried out to determine the role of SNPs for improving (NUE) in wheat.The SNPs were synthesized chemically by reducing silver nitrate with trisodium citrate and size was 10-20 nm according to X-Ray Diffraction analysis. Completely randomized design with seven graded doses of SNPs (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 ppm) and four replications was employed for experimental layout.

Seedlings of wheat variety NARC-2009 were transplanted to pots. Pot soil was soaked with SNPs solution up to field capacity levels and distilled water was applied in control treatment. SNPs significantly enhanced most of the growth and yield attributes NPK uptake and nutrient use efficiency of wheat. Silver nanoparticles in 25ppm concentration have showed significant improvement in maximum leaf area and highest grain yield while 75ppm concentration resulted in decrease in grain yield. So silver nanoparticles have stimulatory as well as inhibitory effect on wheat growth and yield.

Originally Published at:  Volume 7, Number 1, July 2015 – IJAAR

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