Influence of Silver Nanoparticles, Laser Light and Electromagnetic Stimulation of Seeds on Germination Rate and Photosynthetic Parameters in Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Leaves

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the impact of laser light (L), magnetic stimulation (p) and silver nanocolloid (AgNC) on pumpkin seeds on the germination rate and content of photosynthetic pigments as well as the efficiency of photosynthesis and greenness index in the plant’s development stages. Seeds germinated after the use of various combinations of different refining techniques. The best results were observed for the alternating magnetic field, where the germination energy increased significantly by 20% relative to the control. A similar effect was observed in terms of germination capacity which increased by 4%. A decrease in terms of emergence rate was observed in all study groups. Leaves grown from seeds soaked in nanocolloidal silver on platters were characterised by a significantly higher content of chlorophyll a and b by, respectively, 53 and 11%, as well as 79% higher carotenoid content. The leaves of potted plants contained 42 and 43% more chlorophyll a in groups p and AgNC. In addition, 66 and 81% more carotenoids in groups L and p. At the stage of the onset of flowering of pumpkin, an improvement in terms of photosynthetic efficiency and greenness index was observed in all study groups. The highest improvement was recorded for seeds soaked in silver and reached 23% (intensity of photosynthesis) and 11% (greenness index SPAD).

He-Ne Laser Seed Treatment Improves the Nutraceutical Metabolic Pool of Sunflowers and Provides Better Tolerance Against Water Deficit

“…PQ mediates the stomatal response in photosynthesis under red light treatment (Wang et al, 2011). Therefore, laser light treatment improves photosynthetic efficiency (Dziwulska-Hunek et al, 2021). Our findings regarding the effect of seed treatment support the literature.…”

“…Another supporting fact is that the role of irradiated (He-Ne) energy in cell strengthening (Dziwulska-Hunek et al, 2021) against mechanical injuries is induced by stressful conditions (Asghar et al, 2017). This laser-induced stimulation in seeds varies depending on seed type and physiology.…”

“…It can manipulate plant metabolism by switching on and off certain metabolic pathways. Treated seeds show better mechanical strength (Dziwulska-Hunek et al, 2021) with positive outcomes in a number of species including sunflower (Perveen et al, 2011;Afzal et al, 2019;Hasan et al, 2020). Different combinations of red and white light variably affect growth, photosynthetic pigments (He et al, 2020), and the phytochrome-mediated physiological responses of normal and stressed plants (Możdżeń et al, 2020).…”

Bacillus subtilis Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) Induced Metabolic and Anti-Oxidative Response in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Arsenic Stress

“…Chlorophyll production is boosted by silver nanoparticles without showing any toxic impact on the Brassica plant, and [ 20 , 21 ] also investigated nanoparticles’ concentration-dependent impact on barley plants. It has been reported that NPs have a strong toxic effect on plants, which depends on the dose and nature of nanoparticles [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Silver NPs have a positive role in the promotion of plant growth and enable the plant to defend against pathogens [ 28 , 29 ].…”