Differential growth and biochemical responses induced by benevolent silver nanoparticles in germinating seeds and seedling of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

The present study reports the effects of benevolent green synthesized AgNPs on seeds germination, seedling growth and biochemical profile of Phaseolus vulgaris L. The complete randomized design was carried out with five replicates per treatments comprising 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg L^− 1. The effects of these treatments were assessed including seeds germination, shoot length, root length, leaf chlorophyll, total soluble carbohydrates, total phenols, flavonoids content and total antioxidant. The results revealed that the maximum shoot and root length elongation was observed at 25 mg L^− 1 of AgNPs concentration. However, at higher concentration of AgNPs exposure (200 mg L^− 1), the shoot and root length slightly decreased compared to control. It was observed increase in total sugar content by three fold in response AgNPs treatment (100 mg L^− 1) compared to control. Similarly, total flavonoids, total protein and phenolic content increased by three, four and six fold respectively at 50 mg L^− 1 AgNPs compared to control. However, leaf chlorophyll content significantly increased at sequential concentration of AgNPs. The present findings suggest that the benevolent green synthesized AgNPs showed positive effects on seedling growth and plant metabolites of P. vulgaris, which might be choice in future for better agricultural production.