The Effect of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Nanoparticles, Light and Sucrose on Germination and Seedlings Growth of Mulberry (Morus nigra L.) in In Vitro Conditions

Mulberry is an Iranian native tree valuable in terms of nutritional and green space. In order to optimization the mulberry propagation through seed in vitro condition, three experiments on the basis of completely randomized design in five replications was performed in Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. The first experiment consist of two treatments of darkness and light conditions (16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness), the second experiment consist of different concentrations of sucrose (0, 15, 20 and 30g/l), and the third experiment was consist of different concentrations the titanium dioxide nanoparticles (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 1mg.L-1) with 15g/l sucrose under 16 hours photoperiod using MS medium. The results of first experiment showed that putting up the mulberry seeds exposure to 16 hours photoperiod had the better effect on germination indices. The results of the second experiment showed that adding sucrose in 15 g/l concentration to medium, promoted germination percentage and rate, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and shoot length indices. For the third experiment it was appeared that treatment with 0.4mg.L-1 titanium dioxide nanoparticles had the best effect compared to other concentrations. According to the results, for optimum germination of mulberry seeds in vitro condition, it is recommended that using MS medium contain 0.4mg.L-1 titanium oxide nanoparticles and 15g/l sucrose under 16 hours photoperiod.