Changes in seed quality parameters of American cotton due to seed treatment with metal oxide nanoparticles during storage

Abstract

Purpose An experiment was conducted to check out effect of seed treatment with nanoparticles on storability of American cotton seeds in laboratory of Department of Seed Science and Technology, CCS HAU Hisar. Methods Delinted and fuzzy Seeds of two American cotton varieties (H 1300 and H 1098-i) were nanoprimed for 10 hours with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) @400 ppm and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) @100 ppm. Observed parameters at different interval (0 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months) during storage were moisture content, germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight, SVI-I, SVI-II, electrical conductivity and dehydrogenase activity. Results Size of ZnONPs and TiO2NPs were 36.25 nm and 39.40 nm, respectively. Results of experiment revealed that different storage periods and nanopriming treatments had significant effect on all seed quality parameters except effect of nanopriming treatments on germination percentage (excluding delinted seeds of H 1098-i). It is also revealed that interaction effect of nanopriming treatment and storage period was non-significant on all parameters except EC. Maximum value of seed quality parameters except EC was observed at 0 month and minimum was found after 12 months of storage. Maximum reduction in seed quality parameters were observed in control treatment and minimum was found when seeds were nanoprimed with ZnONPs @ 400 ppm. Conclusion Results of experiment came to a conclusion that ZnONPs and TiO2NPs had capacity to hold seed quality and vigour during storage of cotton seeds of American varieties (H 1300 and H 1098-i).