EFFECTS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES ON GROWTH PARAMETERS OF RADISH (Raphanus sativus L. var. radicula). GROWN UNDER DEFICIT IRRIGATION

In agricultural production, fertilization has become mandatory for improving the soil and increasing the yield of the product. Especially in the production of horticultural crops, the need for precise and detailed fertilization management complicates the production. Intensive long-term use of conventional fertilizers causes serious environmental problems such as groundwater pollution, deterioration of soil quality and air pollution. This has led to the search for particularly effective and environmentally friendly fertilizers. Recently, nano-fertilizers are considered as a promising fertilization alternative. Nano-fertilizers benefit nutrition management due to their strong potential to increase nutrient utilization efficiency. The present study aimed to determine the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on some growth parameters of radish grown under deficit irrigation conditions. For this purpose, in this study, four different irrigation water levels (I0; 100% full irrigation, I1; 20% deficit irrigation, I2; 40% deficit irrigation and I3; 60% deficit irrigation) and four different nanosilver doses (Ag0: 0 ppm, control; Ag1: 20 ppm; Ag2: 40 ppm and Ag3: 80 ppm) were applied. The study was carried out in a total of 48 pots in three replications according to the randomized plots experimental design under greenhouse conditions. The findings showed that root length, root diameter, root fresh weight and root dry weight significantly (p<0.01) decreased in deficit irrigation. While root parameters were significantly increased in Ag nanoparticle applications, the number of leaves were not varied statistically. The highest root height (33.21 mm) was determined in full irrigation application with Ag3 (80 ppm). As a result, it can be stated that radish plant growth in silver nanoparticles can be significantly improved under deficit irrigation conditions compared to control application non-silver nanoparticles.