Wide range of nanomaterial applications is helpful to promote sustainable agriculture to the point of nanolevel. With regard to this, biocompatible silica nanoparticles have been used as a nanopriming agent for enhancing seed germination in rabi crops like wheat, pea and mustard. The current study was carried out in a completely randomized block design with four replications. One part of nanosilica (8 g/L) and three parts of Gibberellic acid (GA3) loaded nano-silica (100 ppm, 125 ppm and 150 ppm) were used for the experimental purpose. The result showed positive significant effect of nanopriming with nano-silica and GA3 loaded nano-silica on seed germination percentage, shoot and root length, seedling length, fresh weight, dry weight and vigour index-I and II at P ≤ 0.05. A comparative study on germination percentage for three of the cereal crops was done and calculated further. It was found to be higher as 91% in wheat, 91% in pea and 75% in mustard. This effect of nanopriming directly help in elevating the activity of α-amylase enzyme, resulting in higher concentration of soluble sugar content needed for supporting seed germination and growth of seedling. In this paper, the nanopriming-induced seed germination is proposed, including the creation of nanopores for enhanced water uptake, rebooting ROS/antioxidant systems in seeds, generation of hydroxyl radicals for cell wall loosening, and nano-catalyst to fasten starch hydrolysis.

No abstract