Synthesis and characterization of metal sulphide nanoparticles to investigate the effect of nanoparticles on germination of soybean and wheat seeds

Food production and boosting its productivity is the major challenge across the word. Nanoparticles can affect the growth, germination rate and development of plants. Silver sulphide (Ag2S NPs), zinc sulphide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) and their composite (Ag2S–ZnS NCs) in powder form has been synthesised by chemical precipitation method using silver nitrate and zinc acetate with sodium sulphide (Na2S). The morphology, structure, size and purity of synthesised metal sulphide nanoparticles and nanocomposites were confirmed by UV–visible, Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-ray (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The optical energy band gap for Ag2S NPs was 3.25eV, for ZnS NPs 4.85eV and 5.4 eV for Ag2S–ZnS NC as investigated by UV–visible. The peaks in EDX spectrum confirmed the composition of material formation and purity of Ag2S NPs, ZnS NPs and Ag2S–ZnS NCs. Seeds of soybean and wheat were sowed in petri dishes in suspension of Ag2S NPs, ZnS NPs and Ag2S–ZnS NCs separately with various concentrations of NPs. The effect of various concentration of metal sulphide NPs and NCs on different parameter of germination has been studied. Experiments revealed that application of metal sulphide NPs and NCs can help to enhance the germination, root and shoot length and mean germination time (MGT) as compared to control treatment. It was found that suitable small time soaking favours good germination. Ag2S–ZnS NCs increases germinability, supress germination rate, elongates root and shoot length and reduce MGT significantly. •Ag2S NPs, ZnS NPs and their composite in powder form has been synthesised by chemical precipitation method.•Enhancement in germination rate of soybean and wheat seeds with Ag2S, ZnS as well as Ag2S–ZnS coating.•The soaking time also proved as significant for % germinability of wheat and soybean.•Ag2S–ZnS NPs are very useful for improving root and shoot length for wheat seeds.