Assessment of toxicity of various carbon and boron nanotubes on wheat and barley germination

In previous studies nanotubes effects on seed germination, root elongation, stem length, and vegetative biomass criterias have been examined with different carbon nanotubes and concentrations. In some of these studies it is claimed that multi-walled carbon nanotubes can significantly promote cell elongation in the root system resulting in faster root growth and higher biomass production. Additionally, in some of other studies it is claimed that multi-walled carbon nanotubes have toxic effects on plants. This study has a crucial importance about to be the first study of measuring the boron nanotubes effects and toxicity on plant germination. In literature we couldn't find any study that measuring boron nanotubes effects on plants. In this study, it was assessed possible toxic effects of 80 mg/L (the average concentration in previous experiments) concentration of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) and multi-walled boron nitride nanotubes (MWBNNT) on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germination parameters. The obtained germination results showed that there were no adverse effects on barley and wheat germination in the tested various carbon and boron nanotubes compared to the untreated control group.