Nanopriming of Winter Wheat Seeds to Improve Grain Quality

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a study on the pre-sowing treatment of wheat seeds with metal nanoparticles (NPs) and their compositions in nanopreparations. Laboratory and field trials demonstrated a significant improvement in seed germination, seedling growth, and grain quality following the nanopriming of winter wheat seeds. Nanoparticles of zinc (Zn 1 ppm), copper (Cu 0.00001 ppm), and a composite formulation (Fe 1 ppm + Zn 1 ppm + Cu 0.0001 ppm + Mn 0.01 ppm) enhanced seed germination by 2, 4, and 4%, respectively. Treatment with nanopreparations containing individual NPs (Fe, Zn, Cu) increased seedling dry biomass by 38–49%. Manganese nanoparticles (0.1 ppm) produced the maximum gain (+64%). Root dry mass increased by 144% (Cu NPs 0.001 ppm), shoot height by 20% (Fe NPs 1 ppm, Cu NPs 0.001 ppm), and the length of adventitious roots by 24–60%, depending on the NP type. The quality of wheat grain from seeds treated with nanopreparationswas also improved: crude gluten content increased by 5–6% (Fe NPs 1 ppm, Cu NPs 0.001 ppm), protein content by 2–5%, and vitreosity by 1–2%. Grain moisture decreased from 12.1% (control) to a range of 9.8% (Zn NPs 1 ppm) to 10.7% (Composite NPs). Seed treatment with Zn NPs (1 ppm) reduced Fusarium infestation of grain by 2.25 times, while the composite NPs reduced it by 33%. The obtained results demonstrate the high potential of pre-sowing nanopriming for improving the yield and quality of winter wheat.