EFFECTS OF ZnO NANOPARTICULES PRODUCED BY GREEN SYNTHESIS ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING OF SALVIA OFFICINALIS L. SEEDS

Nanotechnology is a research subject in many interdisciplinary engineering fields today. Nanoparticles have important effects on seed germination and seedling growth of plants. The aim of this study has been to produce a 54.68 nm-sized ZnO nanoparticle obtained from the Nigella sativa L. plant by green synthesis. The effect of medicinal sage (Salvia officinalis L.) on germination of plant seeds and seedling growth was investigated. The trial was set up under controlled conditions and conducted for 14 days according to a factorial trial design with 5 replications for each dose (0, 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 mg ZnO NP kg-1). As a result of ZnO NP application in different doses, germination of Salvia officinalis L. seeds varied between 90-94%, stem length was 1.86-2.92 cm and shoot length was between 1.01-1.98 cm. The highest root and shoot length was obtained after the application of 2.5 mg ZnO kg-1 NP. In the light of the results, ZnO nanoparticles are thought to be useful for seed development and agricultural applications.