Carbon spheres: an option to improve the germination and growth process of Pinus devoniana under in vitro and greenhouse conditions

Abstract

The carbon spheres (CSs) have been identified as a potentially valuable addition to agricultural practices, because they capacity to enhance the germination and growth of domestic and forest plants through the introduction of innovative techniques that facilitate sustainable agriculture. The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of CSs on the in vitro germination and greenhouse growth of Pinus devoniana seeds. The research was conducted in two phases. The initial phase of the study involved the synthesis and characterization of the CSs. The subsequent phase of the study involved the treatment of seeds with CSs and a 50% reduced dose of a mineral solution (MS). The response variables encompassed days of emergence and percentage of germination in vitro, in addition to phenology and biomass of the seedlings under greenhouse conditions. The experimental data were validated through ANOVA/Tukey (P < 0.05). The characterization of CSs by microscopic and spectroscopic techniques revealed the presence of CSs with a diameter of less than 500 nm, predominantly composed of carbon and oxygen, with the notable presence of polar functional groups. The data demonstrated that the response of P. devoniana seeds exposed to 10 ppm CSs and 50% MS exhibited statistically significant differences from the data obtained for untreated P. devoniana seeds across all response variables. These findings substantiate the assertion that CSs exert a beneficial effect on the germination and growth of P. devoniana seeds, with could be an option in reforestation projects.