Effect of silver nanoparticles and Chlorella sp. suspension on vegetative growth of Eruca sativa

Both Microalgae and nanoparticles have been currently reported as promising tools for many biotechnological and agricultural applications. In the present study, different experimental treatments were followed including either soaking seeds of Eruca sativa or foliar spray with different concentrations of Chlorella sp. MF1suspension (1, 2, 3 and 4 g/L) and either soaking seeds or foliar spray with different concentrations of AgNPs (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/L), respectively. The results indicated that the root length increased significantly (p < 0.05) in all treatments compared with the control. Also, there was a significant increase in both fresh weight and dry weight of almost treatments compared with the control, except for treatments of spraying with Chlorella. The most effective treatments were spraying of AgNPs at 40 and 20 mg/l as they caused the highest increases in the studied parameters. These data add an evidence that the application of silver nanoparticles and Chlorella sp. MF1 as biostimulatnts improve vegetative growth of Eruca sativa.