Effect of growth medium and priming with nanocopper mixture on Germination of Spinach, Bok Choy and Okra

Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions to enhance crop establishment and productivity, yet the application of copper-based nanomaterials in seed priming remains underexplored. This study evaluates the effects of copper nanomixtures on seed germination and early seedling growth of hydroponic vegetables: bok choy, okra and spinach. First, copper nanoparticles were synthesized then physically mixed with either methyl jasmonate or yeast extract to produce two nanocomplexes: Cu-MeJA and Cu-Yeast. These were prepared in three concentrations (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/mL), along with controls, forming a total of 10 different treatments. Next, seed germination and viability test was carried out by soaking the seeds in each treatment solution for 24 hours. Treated seeds then were inoculated on two different growth mediums (peat moss and cocopeat). This followed by monitoring the germination rate and seed viability after 7 days. Then FTIR analysis was conducted on the nanomixtures. Results showed that seeds treated with Cu-MeJA and Cu-Yeast demonstrated improved germination performance and early root development compared to untreated controls. The FTIR spectra confirmed successful formation of copper complexes with organic ligands. These findings suggest that copper-based nanomaterials, particularly when combined with biological elicitors, may serve as promising nanostimulants in hydroponic agriculture.