Efficiency of Nanoparticles (Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide) in Stimulating the Growth of Different Cultivars of Wheat Plants Triticum aestivum L

Abstract

The wheat plant, Triticum aestivum L., is one of top cereal crops in the world, followed by the rice and corn crops; and it is one of the most important food crops for more than a third of the world's population. in recent times, several studies focused on finding ways to increase and encourage growth and production of wheat, and among these methods is the use of nanomaterials. The present study has been conducted to evaluate the nanomaterials titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and zinc oxide (ZnO) efficacy in  the growth promoting of three cultivars of wheat plant (Ibaa 99, Abu Ghraib and Bhooth 22). Laboratory experiments proved the non-toxicity of TiO₂ and ZnO on the germination of wheat seeds. All treatments were 100% germinated, whereas the results showed the superiority of TiO₂ in stimulating all examined parameters. The examined parameters, whether in Petri plates or pots, including the length of the radicle and hypocotyl, compared to a control treatment. The results of the pots experiment showed that the concentration of 100 ppm significantly exceeded the rest of the tested concentrations (0, 25 and 50 ppm), and the Abu Ghraib cultivar was the most responsive to nanomaterials. It is worth noting that the nanomaterials TiO₂ and ZnO at a concentration of 100 ppm led to an increase in some biochemical indicators, including photosynthesis pigments, carbohydrate content and proline, compared to the control treatment in the cultivar Abu Ghraib.The current study recommends that TiO₂ and ZnO should be used in the treatment of wheat plants, with more studies being conducted on other economic plants.