Effect of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNps) Produced by an Endophytic Fungus Fusarium Semitectum Isolated from a Medicinal Plant Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Seed Germination

AgNps were synthesized from the Endophytic fungus Fusarium semitectum isolated from healthy leaves of a medicinal plant Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha). Characterization of AgNps by UV-Vis showed a maximum absorption peak at 422nm. TEM revealed AgNps to be smaller in size, spherical in shape from 1220nm. Different concentration of AgNps was tested against germination of Mungbean, Pigeon Pea and Chickpea seeds. Percent seed germination, root and shoot length of all the three seeds were measured. The Germination index (G.I) of Mungbean and Pigeon Pea seeds was maximum 123.33 and 117.64 with 200μl of AgNps and Cent percent seed germination in Mungbean seeds while it was 58.3% in Pigeon Pea. The average root and shoot length was maximum 4.6cm and 4.7cm with 100μl of AgNps in Mungbean whereas, shoot length was 4cm at 200μl and root length was 4.4cm at 100μl. In case of Chickpea the G.I was maximum 46.51 with maximum % seed germination of 78.5% and shoot length of 2cm with maximum root length of 4.9cm at 100μl of AgNps. All these results reveal that 100 and 200μl of AgNps can enhance root and shoot germination while, higher concentration of AgNps showed Phytotoxicity revealing that dose dependency will have good effect on overall plant growth.