The Use of Carbon Nanomaterials to Improve Seed Germination Seedling Vigor and Growth

Several studies have shown nanomaterials can improve seed germination and growth performance in agricultural plant species, but this has not been widely tested on boreal forest species. In a 2017 pilot project testing two native boreal species commonly used in reclamation (green alder (Alnus viridis) and bog birch (Betula glandulosa)), nanoparticles increased germination up to 90% and 88 % respectively, and there was significant improvement in seedling vigor compared to control plants. The primary objective of this project is to evaluate effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in improving seed germination, seedling vigor, and growth in select native boreal plant species ideally suited for forest reclamation following oil and gas mining, including chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.), common blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides), low-bush cranberry (Viburnum edule), and red currant (Ribes triste). Project is ongoing.

These are limited results after one year (study ongoing). Trial 1: Seed Germination Test – Effect of stratification, scarification, and MWCNTs on germination of three native seeds. Results show cold stratification important in improving germination rate, mean germination time (MGT), and synchronization index (SYN) for chokecherry. Highest germination was found in the longest stratification (12 weeks), but depending on combination of scarification and MWCNTs, germination could be negatively affected. The weakening of cell membranes found in MWCNT treated seeds may be a reasons why 12 weeks of cold stratification did not improve germination when combined with scarification and MWCNTs. Trial 2: Lowbush Cranberry Germination Trial – Objectives: determine (1) temperature requirements for germination and (2) effect of seed priming with carbon nanotube (CNT), gibberellic acid (GA3), or smoke water (SW) on seed germination. Due to the lack of germination and longer germination time, we further investigated effect of priming materials combined with CNT and temperature cycles. Significant embryo growth was observed at week 8 in the seeds treated with GA3 and COOH: GA3. Some of these seeds germinated at week 8, indicating a positive effect of GA3 on seed germination of low-bush cranberry.