Effect of Chemical Synthesis Silver Nanoparticles on Germination Indices and Seedlings Growth in Seven Varieties of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill (tomato) Plants

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of synthesis silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), on the seed germination, germination percentage (GP), seedlings vigor index (VI), germination index (GI), tolerance index (TI), root and shoot length (RL and SL) and silver content in seven varieties of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill (tomato) plants. AgNPs in 50 nm size in five different concentrations, viz, 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg l(-1) were synthesized by chemical reduction of metal salt precursor silver nitrate. In the first few days of testing, AgNPs treated seeds sprouted within first 3 days, whereas the control seeds (deionized water) took longer time to sprout, that resulted in the increase in GI, in Early urbanay VF, Super strain B and Primo early varieties. AgNPs caused a significant decreased in GP of Super strain B, and Super stone varieties at 75 and 100 mg l(-1) concentrations. We detected no significant differences in GP in other varieties. AgNPs application to tomato varieties seeds also caused a drastic decrease in VI, TI, RL and SL in all varieties seedlings. The measurement of Ag content, showed a linear increase with the increase in AgNPs concentrations. Finally, phytotoxicity effect of AgNPs was revealed in seven varieties.