EFFECT OF CARBON NANOPARTICLES ON CORN (Zea mays L.) SEED GERMINATION, GROWTH AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE

The use of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) in plant science and agricultural production has been on the rise in recent decades. In case of Carbon-based nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been used mostly in plant science. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) provide a promising net effect in plant science due to their physiochemical properties and versatile applications processes. The CNTs improve the ability of plants to tolerate physiological stress by improving water dynamics and nutrient uptake as well as activating defense mechanisms against abiotic and biotic stresses. They can be taken up by roots and translocated within the plant, impacting water retention, nutrient assimilation, and photosynthesis. In this work, factory-synthesized multi-walled-CNTs (MWCNTs) of quality-controlled specifications were used to prepare a germination medium together with different concentration of Fe2+ in agarose solution. To assess the effect of MWCNTs on seed germination, nutrient uptake and growth of corn (Zea mays L.), physical parameters were measured and the essential nutrient uptake rate quantified using nuclear microscopy technique of Particle Induced X-ray Emission, (PIXE). The application of CNTs of concentration between 10- 20 mg/L significantly increased seed germination rate, Fresh and dry biomass of shoots and roots. The trace elemental nutrient uptake by the roots was quantitatively measured and reported as well.