In vitro application of silver nanoparticles as explant disinfectant for date palm cultivar Barhee

The objective of the research study was to determine the effect of different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (1, 5, 10 and 20 mg L-1) alone and in combination with commonly used disinfectants (80% sodium hypochlorite and 0.2% mercuric chloride) on in vitro grown explants of date palm cv. Barhee. Seventeen treatment combinations were made to study the survival, contamination and mortality percentage of in vitro grown date palm explants. The laboratory experiment was laid out on completely randomized design with three replicates in each treatment. The findings revealed that application of 5 mg L-1 silver nanoparticles alone and in combination with 80% sodium hypochlorite and 0.2% mercuric chloride statistically behaved alike. However, maximum survival of explants (88.89%) and zero percent mortality was observed when 5 mg L-1 silver nanoparticles was used alone. Higher concentrations of silver nanoparticles (10 and 20 mg L-1) when combined with sodium hypochlorite and mercuric chloride had a detrimental effect and caused highest explant mortality. Application of sodium hypochlorite and mercuric chloride showed 33.33% contamination and 11.11% explant mortality. It is therefore, concluded to use 5 mg L-1 silver nanoparticles alone for explant sterilization of date palm cv. Barhee, which is nonhazardous and environment friendly. Key word: Date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L., explant sterilization, disinfectants, silver nanoparticles