European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECT OF ZINC SULPHIDE NANOPARTICLES ON GERMINATION OF SEEDS OF VIGNA RADIATA AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT ACCELERATION OF GROWTH IN PRESENCE OF THE NANOPARTICLES

Sutapa Ganguly, Sukhen Das, Sujata G.Dastidar*

ABSTRACT

The synthesis, characterization and biological application of synthesized nanomaterials have become an important branch of nanotechnology. This study describes the synthesis of highly dispersed zinc sulphide nanoparticles using a simple aqueous chemical method. Such synthesized nanoparticles were tested for their effect on germination of seeds and on acceleration of seedling growth. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph analysis of the zinc sulphide nanoparticles (ZNPs) indicated that they were well dispersed and ranged in size from 10-30 nm. ZNPs were employed to improve germination of seeds and rate of seedling growth of Vigna radiata. Three sets of seeds were allowed to germinate on water with two different concentrations (10 to 20 mg/ml) of ZNPs. Higher percentage (70%) of germination was found in treated seeds when compared to the control. The seeds that were in a Petri plate with sterile distilled water only took longer time (1- 2 days) to sprout, whereas all treated seeds sprouted within 6 hr. The maximum height (12.8 cm) was observed in seedlings treated with 20 mg/ml of ZNPs. The possible contribution of ZNPs was to facilitate the penetration of water and nutrients through the seed coat and accelerate the germination of seeds.

Keywords: zinc sulphide, germination of seeds, Nanoparticles, Vigna radiata.