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Abstract

Nowadays, nanoparticles (NPs) are used for agricultural purposes, such as developing germination of the seeds and enhancing nutrients in the soil. They are also applied in the synthesis of nanopesticides and nanofertilizers. The current study was carried out to examine the effect of using zirconium oxide, yttrium oxide, and other solutions (Gibberellin, Indol acetic acid (IAA), and Naphthol acetic acid (NAA) in the germination of maize seeds. Before germination, the maize seeds weighted as a dry seed, and then they were soaked in a solution of 70% alcohol, then it was sterile by water. After that, the seeds were immersed in one of the 14 solutions for 2 hours. Next, the seeds were weighted as wet seeds, and then the seeds were transferred to petri dishes for 120 hours at 25°C. After the five days, the plants were taken from Petri dishes, studied, and evaluated by calculating the germination percentage, germination rate, and measuring the number, the length of roots, and shots. It is noticed that the best solutions for maize germination are Zirconium 100 + IAA and Yttrium 100 µg both of which had a significant difference (p<0.05) which indicate the highest germination percentage of 100% and the highest germination rate of 0.6. Different concentrations and combinations were prepared successfully and used as treatment solutions in germination of maize seeds. The results were compared and it was found that Zirconium 100 + IAA was the best solution used in the treatment of maize seeds. The test was considered as significant difference at (p<0.05). However, the authors recommend the examination of the effect of temperature and humidity on the germination of maize seeds as a future work.