Determination of the effect of nanoparticles on germination and seedling development of some sugar beet genotypes

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of two nanoparticles, zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper oxide (CuO), which are naturally widespread and have broad biological impacts, on the germination and seedling development of sugar beet varieties (Kuzgun coated and Kuzgun uncoated). The research was conducted in 2025 at the Laboratory of Kastamonu University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Initially, sugar beet seeds were surface sterilized by immersion in 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 10 minutes, rinsed five times with distilled water, and dried. The prepared seeds were then soaked in ZnO and CuO solutions at concentrations of 0 (control), 300, 600, 900, 1200, 1500, 1800, and 2100 mg/L for 18 hours. Following this treatment, seeds were washed three times with pure water and dried on filter papers. For germination, 20 seeds were sown in each Petri dish with three replications. The experiment included seven different nanoparticle doses in addition to the control group. Germination was carried out in a dark environment, and the number of germinated seeds was recorded daily. The moisture level of the Petri dish filter papers was regularly monitored and adjusted. In parallel, observations were also performed in trays filled with sterile peat under room conditions, with an average temperature of approximately 18°C. The results demonstrated that the nanoparticles and their concentrations significantly influenced all examined parameters. While germination rate was less affected, growth traits such as root length, root diameter, shoot length, and root weight showed substantial variations depending on nanoparticle type and dose. In conclusion, it is suggested that further studies be conducted with different and widely used nanoparticles at similar concentration ranges to better understand their effects on plant growth and development.