Response of maize (Zea mays L.) seed germination and seedling growth to plant-mediated Silver nanoparticles and Nickel chloride

Green synthesis of nanoparticles is preferred over other methods due to its cost-effectiveness and eco-friendly nature. In the present study, leaf methanolic extract was mixed with silver nitrate for the synthesis of AgNPs. Characterization of nanoparticles was carried out through UV-vis Spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, EDX, and SEM. 11 treatments were made and maize seeds were subjected to NiCl 2 in pots; earlier they were soaked in AgNPs solution. Treatments were arranged to evaluate the effect of NiCl 2 (T1-T3) AgNPs (T4-T5) and the interactive effects of AgNPs and NiCl 2 (T6-T11) on the planted seeds. Uv-vis peak at 410 nm confirmed the presence of AgNps. The crystalline nature of AgNPs was confirmed through XRD analysis, and the presence of functional groups of the biomolecules and capping agents were shown in FTIR. The morphology of the nanoparticles and elemental analysis were done using SEM and EDX respectively. The size of the nanoparticles was in the range of 25-50 nm using Nano-measure software. A decline in growth was recorded in Treatments T1-T3 with 100 % germination. Maximum growth and 100 % seed germination were observed in NP-treated seeds; T4 and T5. These two treatments also showed the highest Germination index, root/shoot growth, and fresh/dry weights. The interaction of NiCl 2 was made with nanoparticles-soaked seeds in treatments T6-T11 and it was revealed that growth enhanced by the concentrations of AgNPs alone was inhibited by the amount of NiCl 2 employed in the soil. The inhibited values of T6-T11 are still greater than the control indicating that soaking maize seeds in AgNPs enhanced maize growth and counter the Nickel stress in the soil. Pigments, Carbs, and protein contents were found maximum in T4 and T5 while NiCl 2 reduces these values. Synthesized AgNPs could enhance maize growth and reduce Nickel stress in the applied amount.