Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Treatments on Some Characteristics of “Santander” Lily Cultivar

Abstract

The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the fields of agriculture and horticulture has been increasing recently due to contribution to seed germination, plant growth and development, flowering, yield, and physiological improvements. This research aimed to investigate the effects of silver nanoparticles on the growth and flowering characteristics of the 'Santander' lily (Lilium L.) variety and to determine its potential for use in cultivation. Before planting the plant bulbs immersed in AgNPs solutions of 0 (control), 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 ppm. After harvest; weight, circumference, height, root length, fresh and dry weight, stem root length, fresh and dry weight of stem, plant height, plant stem diameter, fresh plant weight, bud number and vase life were determined. As a result; it has been indicated that AgNPs solutions in different concentrations increased the quality and quantity of cut flowers and bulbs in lily plants. AgNPs increased an average of 26.29% when compared with control in all morphological characteristics except for the vase life. In the light of these findings, AgNPs applications can be preferred as a method that can be used on lily cultivation and reproduction. Nevertheless, considering the deficiency of treatments of AgNPs in lily plants and their poorly known effect on plants, further detailed studies are necessary.