Nutrient-doped Carbon Nanodots: Enhancing Seed Quality and Germination in Chilli
Vangala Navya
*
Department of Seed Science and Technology, Seed Research and Technology Centre, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, India.
Sujatha P
Department of Seed Science and Technology, Seed Research and Technology Centre, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, India.
Jagan Mohan Rao P
Department of Seed Science and Technology, Seed Research and Technology Centre, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, India.
Raghavendra K
Sairadhya Organics & Seed Technology Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad- 30, India.
S.N.C.V.L. Pushpavalli
Department of Seed Science and Technology, Seed Research and Technology Centre, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, India.
Santhosha Rathod
ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-30, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Nutrient deficiency in chilli plants significantly impacts growth, yield, and seed quality. To address this, a laboratory experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2022-23 at PJTSAU, Hyderabad using nutrient-doped carbon nanodots (CNDs). Seventeen treatments, including various concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ca, and B, were evaluated. Results revealed that iron-doped (T4) and manganese-doped (T8) carbon nanodot treatments significantly improved germination (up to 6% higher) and reduced abnormalities (by up to 5%), while higher doses of calcium (T11) and boron (T14) showed lower efficacy. These findings suggest the potential of nutrient-doped CNDs as innovative seed treatment agents to enhance seed quality and germination in chilli.
Keywords: Chilli, seed quality, carbon nanodots, manganese-doped