Investigating the Effect of Green Silver Nanoparticles on Seed Germination and Physiological Parameters of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) under Salt Stress

Abstract

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), a valuable crop, suffers greatly from salt stress. This study investigates the potential of green silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) synthesized using Aloe vera extract to relieve the harmful effects of salt stress on spinach seed germination and growth. The experiment evaluated various seed germination and plant growth characteristics of spinach cultivar Viroflay RZ under five Ag-NP concentrations (0, 20, 40, 80, and 100 ppm) and four salinity levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl) in a controlled laboratory setting. This studymeasured seed germination percentage, rate and relative germination, vigor indices, plant height, root length, shoot and root dry weight, and chlorophyll content. Data analysis revealed that salinity stress significantly inhibited seed germination and all other studied parameters, especially at higher salt concentrations. The impact of green Ag-NPs on these traits varied considerably under salt stress. A complex statistical model showed a non-linear relationship between Ag-NP concentration and its effect, with an optimal concentration potentially alleviating the negative effects of salt stress. The study suggests that pre-treating spinach seeds with green Ag-NPs at an optimized concentration might enhance their tolerance to salt stress, potentially improving germination and growth under saline conditions. This research promotes using eco-friendly nanotechnology to mitigate the detrimental effects of salinity on agricultural productivity.