Zinc (ZnO) and Titanium (TiO2) Nanoparticles effect on micropropagation of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn

Bachelor of Science Muhammad Waqas Ashraf, BS

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This is an interesting study of the convergence between nanotechnology and plant science that investigates how Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Titanium dioxide propose In vitro propagation Salvia rosmarinus Spenn, known as rosemary. The study used nodal explants of rosemary, grown in a simple MS (Murashigue and Skoog, 1962) medium and then subjected to alternative concentration of ZnO or TiO2 nanoparticles. During a period of 60 days, the experiment monitored and measured several growth parameters namely sprouts emergence length nodal number root development in controlled conditions. These results of this study are fascinating and important. Lower concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles were seen to promote the length, while higher ones acted negatively on root formation. On the other hand, TiO2 nanoparticles were toxic to root length growth in all tested concentrations. These findings add to the subtlety of understanding how nanoparticles can have an impact on plant growth and that they do not simply depend on concentration but are highly dependent upon type. This thesis not only contributes to the emerging field of agricultural nanotechnology but also provides potential ways for improving plant productivity and vigour especially economically valuable medicinal plants such as Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. The study highlights the possibility of nano-technology application in agriculture carefully implying a future world where nanoparticles could assist to enhance plant growth.

Keywords

In vitro, Micropropagation, nodal segments, TiO2 nanoparticles, ZnO nanoparticles

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 28. 4. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. Ing. Eloy Fernández Cusimamani, Ph.D.
• Reader: Madhab Kumar Sen

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme:
Tropical Forestry and Agroforestry