Optimizing Germination conditions of Ghaf Seed using ZnO Nanoparticle priming through Taguchi Method Analysis

Abstract

Ghaf, a resilient tree in arid environments, plays a pivotal role in ecological restoration, desertification mitigation, and cultural heritage preservation. However, the seeds' inherent challenges, notably their hard outer coating restricting germination, emphasize the pressing need for innovative strategies. This work aimed to investigate the optimization of Ghaf seed germination process through seed priming with ZnO nanoparticles treatment (duration (t), concentration (c), temperature (T) and agitation (a), employing the Taguchi method for efficient experimental design. Notably, it revealed that concentration is a pivotal influencer in the optimization of Ghaf seed. The results showed that the concentration of ZnO nanoparticles has no linear relation with any other parameters. To verify the outcomes, validation tests were performed utilizing the predicted optimal parameters. The observed low error ratio, falling within the range of 1–6%, confirmed the success of the Taguchi methodology in identifying optimal levels of the factors chosen. Significantly, ZnO-primed seeds showcased a remarkable enhancement in Ghaf seed germination, increasing from 15–88%. This study introduces a novel approach utilizing ZnO nanoparticle treatment optimized through the Taguchi method, significantly enhancing seed germination rates of Ghaf seeds and offering a promising avenue for sustainable agricultural practices in arid environments.