Potential of Copper Nanoparticles to Increase Growth and Yield of Wheat

Abstract

Rapidly expanding use of nanoparticles in every discipline of life necessitates finding their potential to increase food production to match with burgeoning population. This study was conducted first time in Pakistan to determine the potential of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) for enhancing growth and yield of wheat cultivar Millat-2011. Several experiments were conducted for this purpose. Seed germination was not affect with 0.2 to 0.8 ppm but decreased significantly at 1.0ppm of Cu-NPs. In solution culture concentration of Cu-NPs higher than 2ppm proved deleterious to wheat plants. Whereas MS medium blended with low concentrations of Cu-NPs (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 and 1.0ppm) significantly increased leaf area, chlorophyll content, fresh and dry weight, and root dry weight as compared to control plants. When applied to soil in pots Cu-NPs (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50ppm) significantly increased growth and yield of wheat as compared with control. However, 30ppm Cu-NPs produced significantly higher chlorophyll content, leaf area, number of spikes/pot, number of grains/spike, 100 grain weight and grain yield. Results of this study reveal that Cu-NPs have the potential to enhance growth and yield of wheat but their effect is concentration dependent. Further experimentation is required to explore the most effective concentration of Cu-NPs and mode of application for yield maximization of wheat.