Effects of silver nanoparticles and zirconium trisulphide nanoplates on the adaptation of woody species microclones to ex vitro conditions

The transfer of microclones to nonsterile conditions is one of the critical stages of micropropagation. Nanoparticles and nanomaterials can significantly improve effectiveness of this technique if used as substances increasing adaptive capabilities of the propagated plants. We have studied the impact of silver nanoparticles and zirconium trisulphide nanoplates on the adaptation of microclones of white poplar × aspen hybrid, hairy birch, crack willow, red oak and scots pine upon transfer to ex vitro conditions. The performed study has revealed that foliage application of colloidal aqueous solutions of zirconium trisulphide and silver nanoparticles at 3 μg/l concentration to in vitro microclones was more effective than the reference growth regulator. The best results were observed in the experiments with red oak microclones, where the number of surviving and adapted plants increased by 50-60 %. Increase in biomorphological parameters was accompanied by improvement of photosynthetic activity. The results indicate high potential of zirconium trisulphide nanoplates and silver nanoparticles for protecting woody species microclones during their transfer to non-sterile conditions of glasshouse. (paper)