Abstract:
In this research, two field crops
(
Zea mays
L. and
Phaseolus vulgaris
L.), two medicinal
plants
(
Hyssopus officinalis
L. and
Nigella sativa
L.)
and two weeds
(
Amaranthus
retroflexus
L. and
Taraxacum officinale
F. H. Wigg) were separately treated with three
concentrations of SiO
2
nanoparticles (400, 2,000, and 4,000 mg L
-1
). The effects of these
treatments on morphological and biochemical charact
eristics of the plants were assessed,
including germination, root and shoot length, root
and shoot fresh weight, root and shoot
dry weight, photosynthetic pigments, total carbohyd
rates, total protein, total amino acid,
and proline content. In the crops and medicinal pla
nts, 400 mg L
-1
SiO
2
NPs significantly
increased seed germination, root and shoot lengths,
fresh weights (except for
H.
officinalis
) and dry weights, photosynthetic pigments, total p
rotein, and total amino acid
(except for
H. officinalis
). In weeds, as SiO
2
NP concentration increased from 400 to 4,000
mg L
-1
, germination, root and shoot lengths, fresh and dr
y weights, and photosynthetic
pigments as well as total protein decreased. Total
carbohydrates in all plants decreased
significantly, except for
A. retroflexus
at 400 mg L
-1
SiO
2
NPs. In all plant species, with
increasing SiO
2
NP concentration, proline content increased signifi
cantly. According to
these results, a lower concentration of SiO
2
NPs can have beneficial effects on
morphological, physiological, and biochemical chara
cteristics of plants.
Keywords:
Germination, Photosynthetic pigments, Total amino a
cid, Total carbohydrates,
Total protein
