Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of Artemisia afra-Mediated Iron Nanoparticles as a Potential Nano-Priming Agent for Seed Germination

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles, from the African wormwood (Artemisia afra) leaf extract, on the seed germination of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and carrot (Daucus carota). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed the final product as iron oxide nanoparticles and its crystallinity, respectively, with the size range of 15–20 nm obtained from transmission electron microscopy. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy validated the presence of iron and oxygen in the sample. High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed the presence of phytochemicals in the extract that act as reducing agents during synthesis. The synthesized iron nanoparticles (5, 10, 30, 50, 100, and 150 mg L–1) were used to germinate spinach and carrot seeds. The green synthesized nanoparticles significantly improved the root and shoot length of spinach and carrot. Interestingly, the best root and shoot length results were observed at the lower concentration (5 mg L–1) of iron nanoparticles, with lengths of 41.7 mm (root) and 26.7 mm (shoot) for spinach while 73 mm (root) and 9 mm (shoot) for carrot. Overall, the results of the current study showed that the green synthesis of nanoparticles using A. afra leaves is a promising method for the production of quality nanoparticles that can be further used for the seed germination of spinach and carrot. Therefore, a novelty lies in the effectiveness and sustainability of the produced nanoparticles for agricultural systems, whereby green synthesized nanoparticles are an alternative to hydro-germination for rapid plant seed germination.

Recent advances in nano-fertilizers: synthesis, crop yield impact, and economic analysis

“…The results demonstrated the negative impact of CuO nanoparticles on seed germination, with a decrease of 71.33% for the control group to as low as 5.7% with increased CuO concentrations. 164 Ndaba et al 165 examine the impact of iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized from an extract of African mugwort (Artemisia afra) leaves on the germination of spinach. The nanoparticles were tested at different concentrations (5, 10, 30, 50, 100, and 150 ppm) and significantly improved the length of spinach and carrot roots and shoots, with the best results obtained at the lowest concentration (5 ppm) Fig.…”

Plant Iron Research in African Countries: Current “Hot Spots”, Approaches, and Potentialities

“…A study described the green production of Fe-NPs, starting from extract of African wormwood ( Artemisia afra ) [ 72 ]. The authors characterized the physical and chemical properties of the obtained NP, thus demonstrating that they are genuinely formed by Fe oxides of 10–20 nm in diameter.…”

“…The authors characterized the physical and chemical properties of the obtained NP, thus demonstrating that they are genuinely formed by Fe oxides of 10–20 nm in diameter. These Fe-NPs influence the germination rate of both spinach and carrot seeds in a concentration-dependent way, and they can therefore act as nano-priming agents [ 72 ]. This, in turn, opens the question regarding the mechanisms by which Fe-NPs can promote seed germination in a given concentration range [ 72 ].…”

“…These Fe-NPs influence the germination rate of both spinach and carrot seeds in a concentration-dependent way, and they can therefore act as nano-priming agents [ 72 ]. This, in turn, opens the question regarding the mechanisms by which Fe-NPs can promote seed germination in a given concentration range [ 72 ]. Another study compared the effects of conventional Fe treatment (ferric sulfate or Fe-EDDHA) with Fe-NPs on the composition in essential oils (EOs) of rose-scented geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens ).…”

“…Also, the effects of treatment of orange trees (Citrus sinensis) grown in Egypt with green Fe-NPs (produced from fresh leaves of Psidium guiaiava, commonly known as guava) were evaluated in comparison with other conventional Fe treatments (FeSO 4 , Fe-EDTA) [79]. The appearance of produced Fe-NPs of needle-like shape at SEM seems different from the green Fe-NPs characterized in [72], and their chemical composition was not investigated; nonetheless, the improvement in most of the analyzed parameters in terms of physical and chemical features of fruits (yields, shelf life, mineral contents of fruits, etc.) would encourage the use of such Fe-NPs with respect to the other treatments for orange cultivation in arid regions [79].…”