Graphene oxide nanoparticles and graphite microparticles on seeds germination and growth of Solanum lycopersicum seedlings

Nanotechnology (NT) can modernize agriculture with new tools that allow better nourished and protected crops. Graphene oxide (GO) is a new kind of carbon-based nanomaterial with unique structural and physicochemical properties, which is very useful for many agricultural applications. GO, the two-dimensional carbon nanoparticles, have attracted increasing attention in the last few years because these contain large amounts of functional oxygen groups; therefore, they could be used as a fertilizer carrier to slow the release rate and improve the nutrients use efficiency, which makes this material suitable for developing new slow-release fertilizers. In this study, the application of GO nanoparticles (NPs) and graphite microparticles were compared as potential promoters of tomato seed germination and seedlings growth. Concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 200, and 500 mg L–1 were applied, using distilled water and micro-size graphite as controls. GO treatments improved root growth dose-dependently by increasing the seed vigor and showing significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between treatments applied, increasing antioxidant enzymes activities. When using the dose of 200 mg L–1 GONPs, the radicle length was stimulated (31%) compared to the control seedlings. The graphite NPs performed better than the control in all variables; however, they were surpassed by the treatments with GONPs.