EFFECT OF ZnO AND Ag NANOPARTICLES ON THE GROWTH OF WHEAT (TRITICUM DURUM) AND THE INFLUENCE OF Ag DOPING IN ZnO NANOPARTICLES

The use of zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) holds strong potential in agriculture due to their antimicrobial properties and ability to promote plant growth. Silver doping appears to enhance the activity of ZnO, but concerns about their phytotoxicity may limit their use. In this study, ZnO, Ag, and Ag-doped ZnO (ZnO/Ag) nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized to assess their effects on the germination, leaf growth, and root development of durum wheat (Triticum durum). The results show that ZnO-NPs support germination at low concentrations but become toxic at higher doses, affecting root and shoot growth. Silver nanoparticles have higher toxicity and severely inhibit plant development by disrupting cell functions and causing oxidative stress, especially at high concentrations. However, doping ZnO with silver helps to reduce these negative effects. The doped particles combine the benefits of ZnO with silver's antimicrobial action, reducing oxidative stress and limiting Ag-NP toxicity. As a result, ZnO/Ag NPs may offer a safer and more effective solution for agricultural use, provided their use is well-controlled. Keywords: ZnO-NPs, Ag-NPs, doping, phytotoxicity, durum wheat.