Graphene oxide decreases the effects of salt stress on Persian clover seed germination

ABSTRACT

Among biotic and abiotic stresses, the most restrictive for plant distribution is salt stress, where different concentrations might exert harmful effects on seed germination. Recently, nanomaterials were used successfully to mitigate these stresses, indicating that plants may be able to develop normally in adverse conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of graphene oxide (GO) on the germination of Persian clover seedlings under salt stress conditions. Following sown on substrate paper, seeds were tested after exposure to different concentrations of graphene oxide (0, 125, 250, or 500 mg L⁻¹ GO), sodium chloride (0; −0.1; −0.2; −0.3, or −0.4 MPa NaCl) and/or GO + salt concomitantly, and then stored for 7 days in a germination chamber at 20°C in the presence of light. Seed germination and growth parameters of seedlings were determined. Graphene oxide demonstrated protective effect against salt stress as evident by no marked adverse effects on seed germination where GO blocked the salt-induced reduction in germination. The results obtained provide references for the safe application of nanomaterials and emphasize the significance of GO as a promising material for reducing the toxicity of salts in agriculture.

KEYWORDS:

• Germination process
• nanomaterial
• Trifolium resupinatum
• salinity

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Dr Daiane Balconi Bevilaqua for calculating the solutions, and Federal University of Santa Maria and Franciscan University.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.