Microbial synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their effect of wheat seeds’ germination

One of the little-studied and promising ways to increase the yield of crops is the use of nanoparticles, especially of the biological origin. Recently, research has been carried out in this direction, however, there is still very little information and it is unambiguous. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to obtain silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with use of Pseudomonas stutzeri and Bacillus sp. bacteria, which expressed high biosynthetic activity, and to determine their effect on the germination of wheat seeds. The culture liquids containing AgNPs were used to treat wheat seeds (Unumli bugdoy variety). The treated seeds were placed in Petri dishes with moistened filter paper to germinate during 7 days. The received AgNPs were characterized by UV spectroscopy and AFM. It was determined that strains of Pseudomonas stutzeri and Bacillus sp. possess the ability to synthesize oval and spherical AgNPs ranging in size from 5 to 100 nm. It was revealed that the treatment of wheat seeds with a cultural liquid containing biogenic AgNPs stimulated seeds’ germination, and also had a stimulating effect on the growth of roots and stems of plants, the accumulation of the dry matter mass of the roots and the aerial part of the seedlings.