RESUMEN
Aims: The goal of the study was to evaluate concentrations of nanosized TiO2 at 0, 5, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg L-1 with same concentrations of bulk TiO2 on sage (Salvia officinalis L.) seed germination and early growth stage. Study Design: Experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with four replications. Place and Duration of Study: The study was performed in a laboratory condition for 21 days at the College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Methodology: The treatments in the experiment were five concentrations (5, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg L-1) of bulk and five concentrations (5, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg L-1) of nanosized TiO2 and an untreated control. The experiment was done in a germinator with an average temperature of 25 ±1ºC. The size of TiO2 bulk and nanoparticles were determined through Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM). Analysis of variance was performed between treatments samples. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS software. Significant levels of difference for all measured traits were calculated and means were compared by the LSD test at 5% level. Results: After 21 days of seed incubation, germination percentage improved following exposure to 60 mg L-1 bulk and nanosized TiO2. Studied treatments had not significant effects on shoot, root and seedling elongation and biomass. Exposure of sage seeds to 60 mg L-1 bulk and nanosized TiO2 obtained the lowest mean germination time (8.42 and 8.7 days, respectively) but higher concentrations did not improve mean germination time. Exposure of sage seeds to 60 mg L-1 concentrations of bulk and nano TiO2 particles led to enhanced germination rate. Conclusion: In general, there was a significant response by sage seed to nanosized TiO2 presenting the possibility of a new approach to overcome problems with seed germination in some plant species, especially medicinal plants.
RESUMEN
Aims: This experiment was done to study the responses of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) to magnetic field and silver nanoparticles combinations in comparison with commercial fertilizers in field conditions. Study Design: Experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Place of Study: The present study was done at the Razavi Research and Technology Institute in Mashhad, Iran. Methodology: This experiment tested seven treatments based on a randomized complete block design in four replications. The treatments were as follows: AgM: Silver nanoparticles + magnetic field; HAgM: Humax commercial fertilizer + Silver nanoparticles + magnetic field; Humax: Humax commercial fertilizer; KAgM: Kemira commercial fertilizer + Silver nanoparticles + magnetic field; Kemira: Kemira commercial fertilizer; Librel: Librel commercial fertilizer, and Control. Results: Results indicated that treatments of silver nanoparticles with magnetic field (AgM) had the highest fruit yield (16.420 ton ha-1) followed by the Kemira fertilizer treatment (10.248 ton ha-1). Significantly, silver nanoparticles with magnetic field treatment (AgM) showed by 150% more fruit yield in comparison to the control. The highest fruit yield in second harvest was achieved in silver nanoparticles + magnetic field + Kemira commercial fertilizer (KAgM) and the lowest was found in the control and Librel treatments. Using AgM, KAgM and Librel treatments caused early ripening of fruit in muskmelon. AgM treatment indicated larger fruit size than control. Using silver nanoparticles + magnetic field (AgM) significantly increased content of fruit soluble solid (13.1%) related to control (9.8%) in first harvest. Conclusion: The treatment combining silver nanoparticles and magnetic field (AgM) most effectively improved early ripening of fruit, fruit and the quality of muskmelon fruit like soluble solid concentration compared to other treatments in firs harvest.