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EFFECTS OF TIO2 NANO-PRIMING ON TOMATO SEED GERMINATION AND

PLANT DEVELOPMENT

Article in The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences · February 2024

DOI: 10.36899/JAPS.2024.1.0695

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Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 34(1): 2024, Page: 62-72
Yagız (print):
ISSN et al., 1018-7081; ISSN (online): 2309-8694 J. Anim. Plant Sci., 34 (1) 2024
https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2024.1.0695

EFFECTS OF TIO2 NANO-PRIMING ON TOMATO SEED GERMINATION AND PLANT

DEVELOPMENT

A. K. Yagız1* and M. E. Çalışkan1

1
Nigde Omer Halisdemir University Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies Agricultural Genetic
Engineering Department Nigde, Turkey
Corresponding author’s e-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The effect of nano-TiO2 on seed germination and plant development as a priming agent has not been thoroughly studied.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of TiO2 nano-priming on seed germination, plant growth and yield of tomato
plants relying on experiments that have been conducted both under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. During the
laboratory experiments, the seed germination, seed vigor index and water uptake of seeds were determined after 5, 10, 50
and 100 mg L-1 of TiO2 nano-priming while hydropriming was used as control. The biomass of tomato seedling was
increased the most for the 10 mg L-1 TiO2 nano-priming condition. With follow-up experiments, the effect of 10 mg L-1
TiO2 nano-priming was investigated further under greenhouse conditions, where hydropriming was also used as control.
The physiological traits of tomato plants, like chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were
increased by TiO2 nano-priming treatment. Although the photosynthesis rate was boosted by nano-priming, the yield was
not affected. The application of 10 mg L-1 TiO2 as nano-priming agent increased plant development and chlorophyll
content under both laboratory and greenhouse conditions without translocation in the plant, which is one of the most
important concerts of using nanoparticles in plant production.
Key words: Nano-priming, priming, TiO2, tomato, seed
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
(CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published first online November 12, 2023 Published final January 20, 2024

INTRODUCTION average size, surface area, surface charge, aggregation

propensity, and hydrodynamic diameter (Peralta-Videa et
Seed germination has a vital role in crop al., 2011). However, the positive effects of the nano-
production. Even if the seed germination is high, the priming in the plant production are undeniable. The
homogeneous seed germination is irrefutable in plant treatment of NPs can increase the seed germination rate,
cultivation. Moreover, the synchronization of plant seedling development, growth and yield in different plant
development enables further treatments in agricultural types (Dutta, 2018; Feizi et al., 2013).
production (Azimi et al., 2014; Khalaki et al., 2021). For The combination of these two factors makes
these purposes, priming was developed as a useful using nanoparticles as a priming agent attractive.
technique and currently, there are various types of Considering that a major concern is the uncontrolled
priming (Finch-Savage et al., 2004; Moammeri et al., release of NPs into nature, the advantages of using NPs
2018; Bekhrad et al., 2016). One of these techniques, as priming agent allows for preventing the spread of NPs
nano-priming, is described simply as the soaking of seeds to the environment. Furthermore, NPs both increase the
in nanomaterial suspension (Khalaki et al., 2021). solubility and decrease the premature degradation of
Considering that the introduction of nanoparticles (NP) to active ingredients and can be designed of target focusing
agriculture does not go back a long way, the ethical and particles. For this purpose, two strategies, which are both
environmental issues about their use in agriculture is still not yet entirely understood, might be followed:
under discussion. This especially relates to the developing the effect of active ingredients or introducing
uncertainties regarding NPs, such as their environmental new ingredients (Kah et al., 2013).
effect as well as durability in nature. Studies have NPs have unique properties in comparison to
established the toxic effects of NPs, such as prohibition their bulk structure. Plant growth, resistance to abiotic
of seed germination, stem and root growth, decrease in stresses, photosynthetic rate and seed germination was
the seedling numbers, and reduction of the yield (El- increased after subjected to nano-size metals and their
Temsah and Joner, 2010; Li et al., 2015). The toxicity of oxides such as TiO2, SiO2, carbon nanotubes (CNT), ZnO
a NP depends on elemental composition, porosity, (Almutairi, 2016; Almutairi and Amjad, 2015; Dhoke et

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Yagız et al., J. Anim. Plant Sci., 34 (1) 2024

al., 2013; Gao et al., 2006). Many different studies have On the 21st day of germination, the germination
shown that TiO2 increases the photosynthesis ratio and ratio, length and biomass of the shoot and root were
chlorophyll content of plants (Gao et al., 2006, 2008; measured. Seed vigor index (SVI) was calculated
Hong et al., 2005; Mahmoodzadeh, 2013). Hong et al according to the following formulas:
(2005) pointed out that, TiO2 raised the photosynthesis Seed Vigor Index I= Germination % x Seedling Length
ratio of spinach by promoting photochemical reactions of (mm)
chloroplast (Hong et al., 2005). Formerly, the studies Seed Vigor Index I= Germination % x Seedling Weight
performed by Gao et al. in 2006 and 2008 illuminated (g)
that TiO2 caused a conformational change in rubisco Water uptake (WU) of seeds was measured with
activase enzyme, which increased the activity of the five replications. The seeds were weighed and priming
enzyme (Gao et al., 2006, 2008). TiO2 nanoparticles were was conducted. After priming, seeds were blotted dry and
also used under N-deficient conditions and managed weighed again and WU was calculated according to the
nitrogen deficiency in spinach by increasing the nitrate following formula:
reductase activity (Yang et al., 2006, 2007). WU%= ((SW after priming-SW before priming)/SW
In the presented study TiO2 was used as the before priming) * 100
priming agent for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) SW: Seed weight
seeds with the aim to assess any change in plant
Effect of TiO2 on tomato plant development and yield:
development and growth. Therefore, tomato seeds were
According to the laboratory experiment, 10 mg L-1 of
primed with TiO2 nanoparticles at different
TiO2 was selected for further experiments due to having
concentrations and the effect of TiO2 nano-priming on
the highest SVI and hydropriming (0 mg L-1) was used as
tomato seeds and plantlets’ development was
a control. Experiments were laid out in Completely
investigated. Later on, the optimal concentration was
Randomized Design with 5 replications. Each
selected and the experiments were continued under the
experimental unit comprised three pots (12 L, 26 cm in
greenhouse condition. The physiological responses and
diameter) with one plant in each pot. Before sowing the
changes in the yield of tomato plants were observed.
seeds, the seed nano-priming was conducted with the
same method. The pots were filled with peat and perlite
MATERIALS AND METHODS mixture in 2:1 ratio (v/v). A composed fertilizer of NPK
(18+18+18+ microelements) was incorporated into the
Characterization of TiO2 nanoparticles: The phase peat-perlite mixture before sowing. Three seeds were
analysis of the TiO2 nano powder was conducted with X- sown at 3 cm in each pot and thinned to one plant in each
ray diffractometer (XRD) between 2θ: 20-80° with pot after emergence. The stem length of the tomato plants
2°/min speed and Cu-Kα radiation. The structure of the was measured at the flowering stage.
TiO2 NPs was observed using a field emission scanning
electron microscope (SEM) at the accelerating voltage of Gas exchange, photosynthesis rate and chlorophyll
5.0 kV. content measurements: Photosynthetic rate (Pn),
transpiration rate (E) and stomatal conductance (Gs) were
Effect of TiO2 on tomato seed germination and measured on the fully expanded youngest leaves using a
seedling growth: For nano-priming treatments, 0 portable photosynthesis system (LI-6400 XT, LICOR,
(hydropriming as control), 5, 10, 50 and 100 mg L-1 of USA). The measurements were performed under the
TiO2 nanoparticle suspensions were prepared using following conditions: 400 µmol mol−1 of CO2
distilled water and sterilized in the autoclave at 121C for concentration and photosynthetically active radiation
20 minutes. After sterilization the suspensions were (PAR) at 1500 µmolm–2s–1. Three measurements were
incubated in the sonicator for 30 minutes for taken from one plant of each replication for both
homogenization. treatments on 28th, 56th, 96th and 123rd day after planting.
Experiments were laid out using a Completely Chlorophyll index was measured on the fully-
Randomized Design with five replications, and each expanded youngest leaves with SPAD-502 Plus
replication was conducted with 30 seeds. Tomato seeds chlorophyll meter (Konica Minolta). An average of three
(S. lycopersicum L. cv. Altar F1) were surface sterilized measurements were taken for each replication.
with 0.7% NaClO for 4 minutes and rinsed with sterile Thereafter, the same leaves, which were used for
distilled water. The seeds were then soaked in TiO2 chlorophyll index measurement, were harvested for
suspensions for 24h at 120 rpm for priming. The seeds chlorophyll content determination. The fresh weight of
were germinated on quarter-strength Murashige and the leaf samples was measured (around 0.2 g), and the
Skoog (MS) media supplied with 1.5% sucrose (Duchefa) leaves were ground very well using a tissue laser. Then, 1
and 8% phytoagar (Duchefa). The germination ml of 80% acetone was added to the samples and shaken
experiment was conducted in germination cabinets at and incubated overnight at +4C. After overnight
20°C under 16/8 h light/dark conditions. incubation, the samples were centrifuged for 5 min. at

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13.000 g and the supernatant was collected. The software. The differences between groups were
supernatant, which had the chlorophyll, was measured at determined by Fisher’s post-hoc analysis. A 2-paired t-
470, 646.8 and 663.2 nm. The chlorophyll content was test was performed by using MINITAB.
calculated according to the following formulas:
Chlorophyll a content = (7,15 x A663.2)/1000/Fresh RESULTS
weight (A)
Chlorophyll b content = (18,71 x A646.8)/1000/Fresh Characterization of TiO2 nanoparticles: The purchased
weight (B) TiO2 nanoparticles were analyzed with XRD and SEM.
Total chlorophyll content = A + B According to the XRD pattern, the nanoparticles showed
Tomato fruits were harvested three times; on strong peaks at 25 and 48 specific to the TiO2 anatase
110th, 128th and 154th days after planting. The yield was phase, which confirmed the purification of the
calculated as the number and the weight of the fruits per nanoparticles (Figure 1) (Theivasanthi and Alagar, 2013).
plant. Besides, the image of TiO2 nanoparticles was
The root, stem, leaf and fruit samples were obtained using SEM and the sizes of TiO2 nanoparticles
collected after the final harvest and TiO2 content of each were measured (Figure 2). According to the image, the
sample was measured by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). sizes of particles were less than 100 nm and confirmed
Statistical analysis: The data obtained from experiments the suitable size for the treatments.
were examined by ANOVA test by using MINITAB

Figure 1. XRD pattern of TiO2 nanoparticles.

Figure 2. SEM image of TiO2 nanoparticles.

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Yagız et al., J. Anim. Plant Sci., 34 (1) 2024

Effect of TiO2 on tomato seed germination and treatment increased seed vigor index by length, 50 mg L-1
seedling growth: The effect of nano-priming on seed of TiO2 nano-priming increased the seed vigor index by
germination rate and seed vigor index according to the weight the most. On the other hand, 100 mg L-1 of TiO2
length and the weight of plantlets can be seen in Table 1. nano-priming decreased the seed vigor index by length.
The nano-priming did not affect the seed germination The water uptake ability of the seeds was increased for
rate. The seeds had more than 97% of germination rate the TiO2 nano-priming treatment. 10 mg L-1 of TiO2
after all treatments. On the other hand, the seed vigor treatment increased the water uptake ability of the tomato
index was affected for hydro and nano-priming seeds the most.
treatments. When the 10 mg L-1 of TiO2 nano-priming

Table 1. Effect of hydro and TiO2 nano-priming on germination rate, seed vigor index.

Treatment GR (%) SVI-I SVI-II WU (%)

T0 97.3 18852b 51.5d 44.0c
T5 97.3 19217b 59.5b 45.8bc
T10 98.0 20538a 62.4b 53.0a
T50 97.5 18792b 67.8a 49.1abc
T100 98.0 17219c 55.0c 49.8ab
Means, in each column, followed by a similar letter are not significantly different at the 5% probability level using Fisher’s Multiple
Range Test.
GR: Germination rate, SVI-I: Seed vigor index by length, SVI-II: Seed vigor index by weight, WU: Water uptake, T0: Hydropriming,
T5: 5 mg L-1 TiO2 nano-priming, T10: 10 mg L-1 TiO2 nano-priming, T50: 50 mg L-1 TiO2 nano-priming, T100: 100 mg L-1 TiO2 nano-
priming.

Figure 3. Tomato plantlets developed after TiO2 nano-priming.

The effect of TiO2 nano-priming on plantlets’ heaviest shoot dry weight was measured after 10 mg L-1
development was also observed (Figure 3). The shoot TiO2 nano-priming and root dry weight after 5 and 100
length was not affected by TiO2 nano-priming. However, mg L-1 TiO2 treatment (Table 2).
root length was increased with 10 mg L-1 of TiO2 nano-
Effect of TiO2 on plant growth and yield: Primed seeds
priming treatment. Besides, 100 mg L-1 of TiO2 nano-
with 10 mg L-1 of TiO2 nanoparticles were planted under
priming decreased the root length of the tomato plantlets.
greenhouse conditions. The stem length of the plants was
The shoot fresh weight of tomato plantlets was increased
measured at the flowering period, and it was observed
with TiO2 nano-priming treatments at all concentrations,
that the nano-priming treatment did not affect the stem
and 50 mg L-1 of TiO2 treatment holds the first rank. The
length of the plants (Figure 4).

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Table 2. Effect of hydro and TiO2 nano-priming on shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh and dry weight.

Treatment SL RL SDW RDW

T0 73.5 120.3b 0.0124c 0.0021b
T5 76.1 121.3ab 0.0137abc 0.0027a
T10 78.6 131.0a 0.0155a 0.0025ab
T50 76.6 116.1b 0.0141bc 0.0026ab
T100 73.1 102.6c 0.015ab 0.0027a
Means, in each column, followed by a similar letter are not significantly different at the 5% probability level using Fisher’s Multiple
Range Test.
SL: Shoot length, RL: Root length, SDW: Shoot dry weight, RDW: Root dry weight, T0: Hydropriming, T5: 5 mg L-1 TiO2 nano-
priming, T10: 10 mg L-1 TiO2 nano-priming, T50: 50 mg L-1 TiO2 nano-priming, T100: 100 mg L-1 TiO2 nano-priming.

Figure 4. The effect of TiO2 nano-priming on stem length of tomato plants. Data are shown as the mean ± SD of
five independent biological replicates. The significant differences among the treatments were estimated
by 2- pair t test with the least significant difference at a probability threshold level of p < 0.05.

The stomatal conductance and transpiration rate 56th day after planting, the photosynthesis performance of
showed the same trend under the same treatments the plants was 18% higher than the control (16,20 vs.
(Figures 5a and 5b). The stomatal conductance increased 19,05). Besides, when the plants started to die, the Pn
after TiO2 nano-priming treatment (Figure 5a). Likewise, increased 55% (from 6,96 to 10,85) following the TiO2
the transpiration rate was positively affected by TiO2 treatment.
nano-priming treatment and the control group had a lower The yield of tomato plants was not changed by
transpiration rate (Figure 5b). treatment of TiO2 nano-priming (Figures 7a and 7b).
TiO2 nano-priming affected the chlorophyll When the yield was analyzed by fruit number / plant,
content of tomato plants (Figures 5c-f). When the there was no effect of TiO2 nano-priming on the yield of
chlorophyll content of tomato plants was analyzed in tomato plants (Figure 7a). In the same trend, yield of
detail, the chlorophyll a content increased with the TiO2 tomato plants as weight was not affected by TiO2 nano-
treatment (Figure 5c). Chlorophyll b content also priming treatment (Figure 7b).
increased with the TiO2 nano-priming treatment (Figure
Translocation of TiO2 nanoparticles in the tomato
5d). As a result, total chlorophyll content also increased
plant: Translocation of TiO2 nanoparticles to different
when the chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content were
parts of the tomato plants was investigated. For this
increased (Figure 5e). In contrast to chlorophyll content,
purpose, root, stem, leaf and fruit samples were collected
relative chlorophyll content was not affected by TiO2
and TiO2 accumulation in these parts were analyzed. As
nano-priming treatment (Figure 5f).
result, accumulation of TiO2 nanoparticles was observed
The Pn of plants developed from nanoprimed
in the root (Figure 8).
seeds were higher than the control group (Figure 6). On

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Yagız et al., J. Anim. Plant Sci., 34 (1) 2024

Figure 5. Effect of TiO2 nano-priming on physiological traits of tomato plants. Stomatal conductance (a),
transpiration rate (b), chlorophyll a content (c), chlorophyll b content (d), total chlorophyll content (e),
relative chlorophyll content (f) measured as mentioned in the text. Data are shown as mean ± SD of five
independent biological replicates. The significant differences among the treatments were estimated by 2-
pair t test with the least significant difference at a probability threshold level of p < 0.05.

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Yagız et al., J. Anim. Plant Sci., 34 (1) 2024

Figure 6. Effect of TiO2 nano-priming on photosynthesis rate of tomato (DAP: Day after planting). Data are
shown as mean ± SD of five independent biological replicates. The significant differences among the
treatments were estimated by 2-pair t test with the least significant difference at a probability threshold
level of p < 0.05.

Figure 7. The effect of TiO2 on yield of tomato. Fruit number/plant (a), Weight/plant (b) measured as mentioned
in the text. Data are shown as mean ± SD of five independent biological replicates. The significant
differences among the treatments were estimated by 2-pair t test with the least significant difference at a
probability threshold level of p < 0.05.

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Yagız et al., J. Anim. Plant Sci., 34 (1) 2024

Figure 8. TiO2 content of different parts of tomato plants. Data are shown as mean ± SD of five independent
biological replicates. The significant differences among the treatments were estimated by 2-pair t test
with the least significant difference at a probability threshold level of p < 0.05.

DISCUSSION length and biomass of plantlets, thus resulting in an

increased seed vigor index. Even though the root length
In this study, our focus has been on using TiO2 and biomass of the tomato plants increased after nano-
NP as priming agent, in order to determine optimal priming treatment, the shoot length of tomato plantlets
concentration for increasing in tomato seed germination was not affected (Table 2). The translocation of TiO2
and plant development by minimizing the toxicity of nanoparticle studies showed that TiO2 nanoparticles were
NPs. TiO2 nano-priming treatment did not change the accumulated in the root (Figure 8). While the stem length
germination rate of the tomato seeds because the seeds was not affected by the TiO2 nano-priming treatment, the
had already high germination rate. Yet, both weight- and probable reason for the increase in the root length is the
length-dependent seed vigor index increased with the TiO2 accumulation. Translocation of TiO2 nanoparticles
TiO2 nano-priming treatment (Table 1). Nanoparticles was investigated in basil and similarly, when the TiO2
have a higher binding ability to seed coat compared to accumulation was observed in roots, there was no
other priming agents (Anand et al., 2019; Mahakham et accumulation in the shoots (Tan et al., 2018). Treatment
al., 2017). Nano-priming treatment was shown to affect of TiO2 nanoparticles by sludge was shown not to affect
the hormonal balance in the seed (Yang et al., 2017). the accumulation of TiO2 in the stem, leaf, or fruit parts
Seeds recognize the NP as an external agent and activate of the tomato plant (Bakshi et al., 2019). The size of the
gibberellic acid (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) dependent TiO2 affects the accumulation of the NPs in different
response mechanisms (Anand et al., 2019; Mahakham et parts of the plant. If the NPs are bigger than 140 nm, they
al., 2017). When NPs enter the seed coat, ROS cannot accumulate in the root. The threshold value for
accumulate and seed dormancy is broken via the accumulation in the stem is 36 nm for wheat (Larue et al.,
activation of GA synthesis (Dietz et al., 2016). An 2012). The size of the nanoparticles was approximately
increase in ROS after nano-priming is reported in some 70 nm in the present study (Figure 2), which may have
studies (Chandrasekaran et al., 2020; Oracz and prevented the translocation of NPs from the root through
Karpiński, 2016). Thus, the accumulation of ROS the stem. The absence of TiO2 nanoparticles especially in
probably promotes seed germination (Chandrasekaran et the fruit of tomato plants is an advantage for using this
al., 2020). material as a priming agent, considering that this
On the other hand, nano-priming increases ɑ- technique counteracts the risks and concerns about TiO2
amylase activity and starts rapid starch degradation contamination in the edible part of the tomato.
(Mahakham et al., 2017; Man et al., 2013). The activity After in vitro conditions, the effect of TiO2
of ɑ-amylase depends on GA and this relationship nano-priming on tomato plants was observed under the
increases with the integration of nanoparticles in the seed greenhouse conditions. For this purpose, 10 mg L-1 of
(Mahakham et al., 2017). The effect of nano-priming on TiO2 was selected for greenhouse experiments according
phytohormones enhances sugar signaling factors, which to the seed vigor index results. The stem length of the
promote seed germination (Laby et al., 2000). Even tomato plants was not affected by TiO2 nano-priming
though the TiO2 nano-priming treatment did not increase treatment, which was expected, similar to the shoot
the seed germination rate, it speeded up the process by length of the tomato plantlets.
mechanisms that are mentioned above and increased the

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Some physiological traits of the tomato plants increased when the plant was in the flowering stage and
were increased by TiO2 nano-priming treatment (Figure before dying, which were critical periods for the plant's
5). The stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of the development.
tomato plants presented a similar trend after TiO2 nano- Although TiO2 nano-priming increased plant
priming (Figures 5a and 5b). Stomatal conductance and development and growth, the yield of tomato plants was
transpiration rates increased due to the opening of not affected by TiO2 nano-priming treatment (Figures 7a
stomata (Qi et al., 2013). This may be caused by the and 7b). There are various studies that have shown
increases in the root length and water uptake, which increases in the yield of tomato plants after TiO2
decreased the water need of the plant and increased the treatment. For instance, the yield of tomato plants was
stomatal conductance and transpiration rate. However, reported to increase after 100 mg L-1 by foliar spray
the mechanisms behind the increases in stomatal application (Choi, 2021). In another study, the positive
conductance and transpiration rate after TiO2 nano- effect of TiO2 treatment on the yield of tomato plant by
priming treatment are not yet fully understood. foliar application was reported (Parveen and Siddique,
As the core reactive molecule in the photosystem 2022). The reason why there was no effect on yield in
I and the photosystem II, Chlorophyll a content was tomato plants in the study is thought to be due to the use
increased following the TiO2 nano-priming (Figure 5c) of the priming method.
(Blankenship, 2013). Similarly, chlorophyll b content
Conclusion: Use of traditional chemicals during plant
increased with the TiO2 treatment (Figure 5d), which
production has hazardous effects on the environment and
increased the wavelength range and amount of light
human health. Thus, different technologies have been
absorbed by plants during photosynthesis (Conway et al.,
developed to decrease this toxic effect and one of them is
2015). The increases in both chlorophyll a and b
nanoparticles. However, using nanoparticles can cause
molecules lead inevitably to an increase in total
phytotoxicity; therefore, the determination of the correct
chlorophyll content (Figure 5e). However, relative
concentration and application technique is very
chlorophyll content was not affected by TiO2 nano-
important. With the in vitro experiments, it was observed
priming treatment. Similar results were observed in a
that using a very small amount of TiO2 (10 mg L-1) as a
study where, nano and bulk-TiO2 treated spinach plants
priming agent induced plant development. Under
had higher chlorophyll content 37.48% and 13.34%,
greenhouse conditions, the TiO2 nano-priming increased
respectively (Yang et al., 2007). Furthermore, an increase
the chlorophyll content and photosynthesis rate of the
in chlorophyll content week by week after continuous
tomato plants. During this process, the nanoparticles did
TiO2 treatment in wheat was reported (Refique et al.,
not translocate in the plant, which was a fundamental
2018). However, it was highlighted that TiO2 treatment in
issue regarding the use of nanoparticles in crop
tomatoes did not affect the chlorophyll a and b content
production. TiO2 nano-priming application had a positive
(Bakshi et al., 2019). The method of application is also a
effect on tomato plant development and increased
factor that needs to be taken into account for the
chlorophyll content and photosynthesis rate, which could
chlorophyll content of tomatoes since the foliar
be a possible alternative to traditional fertilizers.
application leads to a higher increase in the total
However, the impact of TiO2 nanoparticles on plant
chlorophyll content in comparison to priming (Perveen
development should be investigated in more detail.
and Siddique, 2022).
The photosynthesis rate of the tomato plants Acknowledgment: The study was supported by Niğde
increased after 56 DAP and 123 DAP with the TiO2 Ömer Halisdemir University Research Project Unit with
nano-priming treatment (Figure 6). The photosynthesis FEB2017/31-BAGEP numbered project. The authors
rate is correlated with chlorophyll content. As mentioned would like to thank stuff of Central Research Laboratory
above, the chlorophyll content of the tomato plant was of Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University for performing
increased by TiO2 nano-priming treatment in the current SEM, XRD and XRF analysis of the study.
study. By increasing the chlorophyll content a and b
Author contributions: AKY and MEC designed the
increased the photosynthesis ratio individually. Besides,
study. AKY performed the experiments and collected
TiO2 promoted photochemical reactions and increased the
data. AKY and MEC analyzed data. AKY wrote the
photosynthesis activity in spinach (Hong et al., 2005).
TiO2 treatment also caused conformational changes in the manuscript and MEC reviewed and edited the
rubisco activase enzyme and increased photosynthesis manuscript.
rate (Gao et al., 2006, 2008). TiO2 nanoparticles have a Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have
role as photocatalysts and promote the redox reaction no conflict of interest.
(Higashimoto, 2019). Consequently, the activation of
Rubisco by TiO2 treatment increases, thereby leading to
an increase in the photosynthesis ratio (Yang et al.,
2008). In the current study, the photosynthesis rate

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