Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Coated Silver Nanoparticle Mitigation of Salinity on Germination and Seedling Parameters of Bitter Vetch (Vicia ervilia L.) Plants

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the regulation of Germination and Seedling Parameters of Bitter Vetch (Vicia ervilia L.) Plants under Salinity stress (NaCl). Experimental salinity was controlled in terms of dS/m at levels of 0 (control), 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 dS/m. Different concentrations of AgNPs (0 (control), 5, 10, 15, and 20 ppm) were applied to Bitter Vetch plants at Germination and Seedling stage. Exposure of Salinity stress alone reduced the Germination parameter in the plant. However, the application of AgNPs protects Bitter Vetch plants against Salinity stress and improves the Germination parameter, plant root length, shoot length, root fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and shoot fresh weight in 20 ppm AgNPs compared to control. In conclusion, the application of AgNPs may protect Bitter Vetch plants against Salinity stress by improving morphological growth.