Fe3O4 - water based magnetic nanofluid influence on weight loss of wheat seedlings under controlled conditions

Different species of nanoparticles are of special interest through the perspective of nanobiotechnologies in agriculture as they can be used for controlling plant growth, effective use of nutrients and plant resistance to various stresses factors. The present studies explored the effect of a biocompatible aqueous magnetic nanofluid (MNF) with Fe3O4 nanoparticles on wheat seedling, Triticum aestivum L. ssp. vulgare, Alex cultivar. The magnetic nanofluid was added in different concentrations (0.0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 1%) for obtaining water solutions which were used for treating wheat grains by imbibition. Wheat seedlings, aged 10 days, were analyzed in terms of biomass accumulation, soluble carbohydrate content and rate of weight loss by drying under controlled conditions. The parameters analyzed describe the total drying time (T-t), the drying time needed for reaching the maximum weight loss rate (t(m)), medium rate (RWLavg) and maximum rate (RWLmax) of weight loss. Total drying time was higher (p<0.01) in the variants treated with MNF (1515.00 +/- 45** - 1725.00 +/- 25*** seconds) than in the control variant (1380.00 +/- 60 seconds). RWLmax was lower under the influence of MNF (0.336 - 0.432 g/min) compared to the control variant (0.462 g/min), p<0.01.