Morpho-physiological Change of Mahaleb Cherry (Prunus mahaleb L.) Seedlings under Silicon Nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) affected

In order to assess the impact of silicon nanoparticles in improving the growth and physiology characteristics of mahaleb cherry (Prunus mahaleb L.) seedlings a completely randomized experimental design was carried with 4 treatments and 3 replications (each replicate with 9 seedlings). Irrigation treatments included concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 mgr/L of silicon nanoparticles and control with tap water which was irrigated every three days based on field capacity. At all concentrations of silicon nanoparticls with increasing silicon nanoparticles concentration the rates of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration increased. With increasing silicon nanoparticle concentration water potential of mahaleb seedlings was decreased (more negative), but the relative water content of leaves did not differ among treatments. Although, with increasing silicon nanoparticles, collar diameter and height growth did not differ, however, other growth parameters were increased. In general, it can be stated that in this study the use of silicon nanoparticles, especially at concentrations of 50 and 100 mgr/L growth and physiological activities of mahaleb seedlings were improved.