Archives of Environmental Protection

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a manipulation of nature that has emerged through the use of basic sciences, material science and engineering at the nano-scale. The interaction between biological environment and nanoparticles--nanoparticles or nanoparticles-organic materials is not yet well-understood. The toxic effects of nanoparticles on plants were investigated and it was proved that they caused morphological and physiological changes in plants. This study aimed to determine the effects of TiO 2 Ag nanoparticles alone, co-application of ZnO nanoparticles--TiO 2 Ag nanoparticles, and co-application of EDDS-TiO 2 Ag nanoparticles on seed germination, seedling vigor, radicle and plumule elongation of two different wheat species. In the experimental stage, ten seeds were placed in petri-dishes with a double layer of fi lter paper which was used as an inert material. Then 5 mL of TiO 2 Ag, ZnO+TiO 2 Ag, and EDDS+TiO 2 Ag suspensions were added to every petri dish. Results showed that the maximum SVI was determined at the concentration of 50 mg•L -1 TiO 2 Ag+EDDS for bread wheat and the minimum SVI was observed at 100 mg•L -1 TiO 2 Ag nanoparticles concentration for durum wheat. The effect of both nanoparticles--nanoparticles interaction and the other chemicals-nanoparticles interaction on the ecosystems should be evaluated.