Silver nanoparticles eliminate hyperhydricity in micropropagated Lavender

Abstract

It is challenging to plant lavender outside of suitable conditions. This economically important plant requires optimal conditions to germinate and produce a high yield. To increase the quality of this plant, tissue culture is utilized. The most problematic aspect of lavender micropropagation is that cytokinin (CK) causes hyperhydricity (HH) during the shooting process. Consequently, this study was conducted to resolve HH in micropropagated lavender plantlets. Different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were applied in conjunction with 1.0 mg L-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA). Then, the performance of HH, growth and development, as well as total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) content, were evaluated. The application of 20 mg L-1 of AgNPs was found to be the optimal method for halting HH. Although shoot proliferation was lower than in BA-supplemented media-grown plants, adding this concentration of AgNPs improved shoot and root quality. An increase in secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity may have caused the remedy of HH.