Effect of nanoparticles on the Almond (Prunus amygdalus) tree flower fertilization

This article presents the results of the effects of SiO2 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles on flowering, flower fertilization and nanoparticle accumulation in flower petals and almond fruit. The results showed that under normal conditions, 80% and 30% of the total number of flower buds in the almond varieties Leyla and Nuray form flowers. However, the fertilization of flowers in both varieties is only about 21.1%. The application of Fe3O4 nanoparticles increases flower formation by 86% in Leyla and 53.4% in Nuray, and the fertilization of the formed flowers by 44.5% in Leyla and 27.4% in Nuray compared to the control. The application of SiO2 nanoparticles increases flower formation by 78% in Leyla and 31.3% in Nuray, and the fertilization by 22.2% in Leyla and 46.8% in Nuray compared to the control. TEM analysis revealed that these particles bioaccumulated in all three layers (seed, endocarp and mesocarp) and that more pathologies occurred in the endocarp and mesocarp layers. Experimental results showed that nanoparticles did not affect fruit morphology. While Fe3O4 nanoparticles increased net seed yield by 3% in the Leyla variety, SiO2 nanoparticles reduced it by 2%, but no difference was observed in the Nuray variety.