Effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the storability of onion (Allium cepa L.) seeds under ambient condition

Abstract

TiO2 nanoparticles are highly stable, ecofriendly in nature, having low cost, act as a photo catalyst also having antimicrobial properties. Considering the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on seeds, a study was conducted during March 2022 to June 2022 at Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P). In this study onion seeds of variety Nasik Red N-53 were collected to investigate the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on the seedling characters as well as on the biochemical characters under storage in ambient conditions. Onion seeds were treated with different concentration of TiO2 nanoparticles (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 and 140 ppm) along with control and stored in two containers; viz. tin container (C1) and aluminum foil pouch (C2). All the seedling parameters were evaluated every month during storage. The experiment was conducted in factorial CRD with 4 replications. The experimental result showed that the storage containers influenced the seedling characters of onion. Seeds stored in aluminum foil pouch (C2) exhibited highest seedling characters and highest enzymatic activities throughout the storage period and exhibited lowest moisture per cent (8.05%) and lowest electrical conductivity (0.970 dSm− 1) as compared to tin container at the end of 3 months of storage. A significant difference was observed with the seed treatments. Seed treated with TiO2 nanoparticles @40ppm (T4) for 2 hours performed better in terms of seedling characters; viz. germination per cent, speed of germination, first count per cent, root length, shoot length, seedling length, fresh weight, dry weight, vigour indices, seed density and enzymatic activities; viz. dehydrogenase activity and catalase activity and recorded lowest moisture per cent (8.04%) and lowest electrical conductivity (0.951 dSm− 1) as compared to control after 3 months of storage. The study concluded that seed treated with TiO2 @40 ppm and stored in aluminum foil pouch can be used to expand the storability of onion seeds under ambient condition.