Integrated Approaches for Adsorption and Incorporation Testing of Green-Synthesized TiO2NPs Mediated by Seed-Priming Technology in Punica granatum L.

Abstract

Seed priming is a novel approach that is undertaken to improve seed germination and therefore potentially enhance growth and yield. Low-cost, eco-friendly, and efficient seed treatment as a means of enhancing growth and yield is still being sought for high-value crops such as pomegranates (Punica granatum L.), particularly in areas situated at high altitudes such as the Taif region. The uptake of nanoparticles (NPs) by plants provides a potential pathway for NP exposure. Therefore, it is imperative to understand NP uptake via seed priming and their unique properties within plants. In the present study, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) were green-synthesized and utilized as priming agents for pomegranate seeds at a concentration of 40 mg/mL for 24 h. The adsorption of NPs was verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis/spectroscopy (EDX), while their incorporation was detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To validate the EM results, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES) techniques were further undertaken. The results confirmed the successful synthesis of pure anatase TiO2NPs by employing aqueous extracts of pomegranate fruit peel (PPE) and coffee ground beans (CE). All of the analytical techniques employed in this research confirmed the incorporation of TiO2NPs inside seeds, even after storage during priming treatment. This study lays the foundation for future sustainable seed technologies in terms of crop productivity and seed germination.

Classification, uptake, translocation, and detection methods of nanoparticles in crop plants: a review

“…88 Hala et al proposed TiO 2 NPs as a medium for seed-priming. 89 They studied the translocation of NPs in pomegranate seeds observing that TiO 2 NPs could translocate cross the seed coat into the seed embryo. Recently, studies have focused on the use of mesoporous silica NPs as delivery systems for pesticides and fungicides in plants.…”

Adsorption and Incorporation of AgNPs Mediated by Seed Priming in Cultivated Taify Pomegranate: Integrated Approaches

“…Seeds constitute the fundamental foundation for natural crop development, as they represent the initial stage in the agricultural production process. Seed production is a vital component of the food security system [4].…”

“…Many crop seeds, including pomegranates (Punica granatum L.), possess a tough outer coat that regulates gas exchange, water uptake, and nutrient flow. This rigid coat, while beneficial for seed protection, can hinder water permeability and ultimately reduce germination rates [4]. This challenge is particularly pertinent for high-value crops like pomegranates, which are widely cultivated and commercially important in Saudi Arabia [4].…”

“…This rigid coat, while beneficial for seed protection, can hinder water permeability and ultimately reduce germination rates [4]. This challenge is particularly pertinent for high-value crops like pomegranates, which are widely cultivated and commercially important in Saudi Arabia [4]. The fruit boasts a wealth of polyphenolic phytochemicals with potent antioxidant properties [5,6].…”

“…Seed priming is a technology that may provide an effective solution to overcome the challenge posed by the hard seed coat in pomegranates, which presents a significant obstacle to successful germination. This approach involves applying pre-sowing treatments with various amendments to improve the physiological state of seeds prior to germination [4,10]. Seed priming offers numerous advantages that directly address the limitations of the hard seed coat.…”