Effects of Adding Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 Nanoparticles to Soil on Germination and Seedling Characteristics of Oriental Beech

Abstract

Effects of Fe-based nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄) on germination parameters were studied for some seedling characteristics of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) seeds. Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle applications were made at concentrations of 400, 800, 1200, 1600, and 2000 mg/L on Fagus orientalis seeds collected from 10 different populations, and some germination and seedling characteristics were evaluated. Preliminary results generally indicated that low-dose nanoparticle applications positively affected germination and seedling characteristics, while increases in doses led to decreases in these parameters. Values obtained from high-dose nanoparticle applications were generally lower than those from the control group. The iron nanoparticles affected the parameters to different extents, Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles showed a significant positive effect on germination rate and radicle length, while exhibiting a significant negative effect on germination percentage and plumule length. The populations least affected by high-dose iron nanoparticle applications were Bursa Inegol, Karabuk-Yenice, and Ordu Akkus, while the most affected were the Bartin-Kumluca and Kahramanmaras-Andirin populations.