Impact of ecofriendly synthesized silver nanoparticles on yield parameters and molecular traits of pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Pea (Pisum sativum L. cv Master B) plants were grown under normal conditions and regularly irrigated or sprayed, once a week, with 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg/L of ecofriendly prepared AgNPs solutions and tap water, as control, after two weeks from sowing until harvesting. Yield parameters (number of mature pods per plant, length of pods, and number of seeds per pod and weight of 100 seeds) were recorded for the first and second generations (M1 & M2). Seed protein SDS-PAGE (Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) profiling of M2 seeds and ISSR (Inter-simple sequence repeats) profile of the M2 seedlings have been analyzed. The results showed that most yield parameters of M1 were increased but decreased in M2. The weight of 100 seeds which is the major indicator of yield productivity was enhanced in both generations. Seed protein profiling showed slight variations among the applied treatments as compared to the control. The concentration of 20 mg/L AgNPs solution showed more variations in the ISSR profile than other treatments. This study suggested that the genotoxic effect of AgNPs on parent pea plants (plants irrigated or sprayed) transmitted to the next generations and genetic variation can be induced using low concentration of AgNPs that may be useful in plant pre-breeding. However, further studies are recommended to fully understand the toxicity of AgNPs to plants.