Influence of seed treatment with nanoparticles on seed quality and storability of pigeonpea cv. BRG-2

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the influence of seed treatment with ZnO, Ag and SiO2 nanoparticles and their bulk form on seed quality and storage potential of pigeonpea seeds. Results revealed significant effect of nanoparticles on seed quality and storability in pigeonpea. Among the treatment combinations, seeds treated with SiO2 NPs @ 250 mg found to be superior for all the tested seed quality parameters viz., germination (98, 89 and 80%), mean seedling dry weight (46.45, 44.95 and 43.98mg), seedling vigour index-II (4553, 4016 and 3518), field emergence (94, 78 and 63%), total dehydrogenase activity (1.549, 1.322 and 1.196), lower electrical conductivity (11.90, 15.46 and 41.29 µS/cm/g) and reduced seed moisture content (9.16, 9.63 and 10.09%) at 0, 6 and 10 months of storage respectively. However, they were statistically on par with ZnO NPs @ 500 mg. The findings suggest the possibility of application of nanotechnology in enhancing seed quality and storability of pigeonpea.