Comprehensive Metal-Based Nanopriming for Improving Seed Germination and Initial Growth of Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Abstract

Nanopriming is a newly developed seed technology that improves seed germination, initial plant growth, and crop yield by enabling plants to withstand a variety of abiotic stresses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of comprehensive metal-based (Co, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mo, and Se) nanopriming as compared to hydro- and non-primed seeds of three different pea cultivars in a germination test. Seed priming with nanoparticles (NPs) improved field pea quality via significant increase in germination energy (cv. E-244), final germination (cv. E-244, cv. Dukat), shoot length (cv. E-244, cv. Partner), root length (cv. E-244, cv. Dukat, cv. Partner), fresh shoot weight (cv. Partner), dry shoot weight (cv. Partner), seedling vigor index (cv. E-244, cv. Partner), and chlorophyll content (cv. Dukat, cv. Partner), as compared to both hydropriming and the control. Moreover, nanopriming led to significant improvements in shoot length, fresh shoot length, dry shoot length, seedling vigor index (cv. Dukat), and dry root weight (cv. E-244) as compared to the control only. In general, the highest effect on the examined parameters was achieved by nanopriming, indicating that this treatment may be utilized to raise field pea quality performance. To optimize the method, it is necessary to conduct extensive laboratory and field trials.