Journal of Rangeland

Current study evaluates the effects of different concentrations (0, 10, 100, 500, 1500 mgl^-1) of nano tio₂ on germination, radicle and Plumule growth of five range plant species Nitraria schoberi L., Eurotia ceratoides F., Salsola rigida Pall., Halothamnus glaucus Botsch., Kochia prostrate (L.) A.J. Scott, using a completely randomized design with four replications. The results showed that the concentration of 500 mgl^-1 of nano tio₂, not only had no negative effect on plants, but increased the germination of Kochia prostrata from 28% to 51% and Eurotia ceratoides from 68% to 84%. Concentration of 1500 mgl^-1 had negative effect on germination and radicle growth of three species of Nitraria schoberi (decrease in germination from 32% to 20% and radicle length from 13.85 to 10.68), Eurotia ceratoides (decrease in germination from 28% to 20% and radicle length from 11.63 to 8.78) and Kochia prostrate (decrease in germination from 68% to 56% and radicle length from 11.3 to 8. 8). Generally, in most plants, low concentrations of tio₂ didn’t have significant effect on germination and seedling growth, but in high concentrations (1500 mgl^-1) due to toxicity effect, germination and seedling growth was reduced.  Therefore, in the case of using nanoparticles, attention to dosage, which is effective and not causes toxicity, is very important.