Impact of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles on protein and carbohydrate contents in seeds of Pisum sativum L.

Understanding the effects of nanoparticles on edible crops is a matter of importance, since nanoparticles are often released and spread in the environment because of extensive research. This study aimed to examine the effect of silver nanoparticles on protein and carbohydrate contents of Pisum sativum L. seed. Spherical crystalline silver nanoparticles were synthesized from aqueous root bark extract of Berberis lycium Royle. Three pea varieties (Climax, Meteor and PF-400) were treated with four concentrations of silver nanoparticles (0, 30, 60, and 90 ppm) and three modes of application, in a randomized complete block design with three replications, in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 growing seasons. Seeds were harvested at the end of the growing seasons and analyzed for total proteins and carbohydrates. A significant increase in protein and carbohydrate contents of harvested seeds was recorded. This study shows that the application of silver nanoparticles might revolutionize agriculture in the future.