Effects of different treatments of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the growth & physiological characteristics of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

Abstract

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is an aquatic perennial plant with various values, such as ornamental flowers, vegetables, food, and herbal medicine. It is cultivated and consumed throughout the different regions in Vietnam as a symbol associated with local culture. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of four other treatments of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the growth of lotus in crop 2021. In the present study, we examined the effects of 4 treatments: control - no AgNPs (CT), treating the soil with AgNPs 4mg/L 5 days before planting (T1), treating plants with AgNPs 4mg/L before planting (T2), and a combination of soil treatment, plant treatment, and periodic foliar application at 4mg/L (T3). The results show that AgNPs application by different methods significantly increased plant height, leaf diameter, fresh leaf weight, dry leaf weight, and some biochemical aspects compared with the control. Furthermore, exposure to AgNPs elevated the activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD). Among the different of AgNPs applications, plants treated with T3 showed the highest efficiency. In addition, the chlorophyll content and diameter of floating and upright leaves were positively correlated with dry leaf mass. Thus, the current use of AgNPs in agricultural sciences offers the prospect of researching their impact on various plants in the future.