Effect of Nanoparticles on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Boswellia Ovalifoliolata – an Endemic and Endangered Medicinal Tree Taxon

The synthesis, characterization and application of biologically synthesized nanomaterials have become an important branch of nanotechnology. In this paper, we report the synthesis of highly dispersed silver nanoparticles using a dried stem bark of Boswellia ovalifoliolata. Bark extract as the reducing agent and tested the effect on seed germination and seedling growth. After exposing the silver to bark extract, rapid reduction of silver ions was observed leading to the formation of silver nanoparticles in the solution. UV-VIS spectrum of the aqueous medium containing silver nanoparticles showed absorption peak at around 430 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph analysis of the silver nanoparticles (SNPs) indicated that they were welldispersed and ranged in size 30-40 nm. Biologically synthesized SNPs were employed to improve the seed germination and seedling growth of Boswellia ovalifoliolata an endemic, endangered and globally threatened medicinal tree species. Four sets of seeds were germinated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium with various concentrations (10 to 30 μg/ml) of SNPs. Higher percentage (95%) of seed germination found in treated seeds when compare to control. The control seeds (water) took longer time (10 to 20 days) to sprout, whereas all treated seeds sprouted within 10 days. The maximum height (10.6 cm) observed in seedlings treated with SNPs 4 μg/ml. The possible contribution of SNPs is to facilitate the penetration of water and nutrients through seed coat and accelerate the seed germination and seedling growth of Boswellia ovalifoliolata. N. Savithramma, et al., Nano Vision, Vol.2 (1,2&3), 61-68 (2012) Nano Vision, Vol.2, Issue (1,2&3), 31 October, 2012, Pages (1-68) 62