Influence of seed polymer coating with Zn and Fe nanoparticles on storage potential of pigeonpea seeds under ambient conditions

Present laboratory experiment was conducted with an objective to know the effect of seed polymer coat-ing with Zn and Fe nanoparticles (NPs) in comparison to their bulk forms on storage potential of pigeonpea seeds. Results revealed that seed polymer coating with Zn and Fe NPs had significant effect on storability of pigeonpea seeds. Among the treatments Zn NPs at 750 ppm was found to be superior in all the studied parameters viz., seed germination (96.00, 88.67 and 81.67 %), seedling length (25.67, 22.57 and 18.60 cm), seedling dry weight (85, 81.45 and 78. 45 mg), field emergence (89.67, 77.67 and 63.33 %), seedling vigour index (2556, 2001 and 1519), alpha amylase and dehydrogenase enzymes activities at 0, 6 and 10 months, respectively and it was statistically on par with Zn NPs at 500 ppm and Fe NPs at 500 ppm. The nanoparticles treatment didn’t affect the seed moisture content (%) and insect infestation (%), however the significant difference was observed between polymer coated and uncoated seeds. In over all, the results of the study demonstrated the possibility of application Nanotechnology in Seed Science Research.