Synthesis and characterization of Ag–TiO2 nano-composites to study their effect on seed germination

Due to the increasing population, the production of food and boosting its productivity is the major challenge around the globe. Nanotechnology is a crucial modern science that has brilliant applications in all sciences including agriculture sectors. Nano-particles have a considerable impact on the growth, the germination rate of the plants. Silver (AgNPs), Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) and their composites (Ag–TiO2 NCs) in powdered form have been synthesized by chemical reduction method and precipitation method using silver nitrate (AgNO3), titanium tetra-butoxide (TBT), sodium boro-hydride with acetic acid. The morphological and structural properties of synthesized nanoparticles and nanocomposites were studied by UV–visible spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD). The Energy bandgap for AgNPs was 2.8, 3.56, and 3.18 eV for TiO2 and Ag–TiO2 NCs, respectively, as analyzed by UV–visible spectroscopy. The peaks in the EDX spectrum confirmed the composition of material formation and purity of AgNPs, TiO2 NPs, and Ag–TiO2 NCs. Seeds of soybean and wheat were sowed in Petri dishes in the suspension of AgNPs, TiO2 NPs, and Ag–TiO2 NCs separately with various concentrations of NPs. The effect of various concentrations of metallic NPs and NCs on the different parameters of germination has been studied. This study revealed that applications of metallic NPs and NCs can help to enhance the germination, root and shoot length and mean germination time as compared to control treatment. It was found that suitable small-time soaking favors a high germination rate. Furthermore, a lesser concentration of AgNPs, Ag–NCs significantly increases germinability, suppress germination rate, elongates root and shoot length and reduce mean germination time.