Through interactions with plant cells, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with both biological and chemical origins can stimulate physiological and metabolic processes in plants. To ensure their safe application in the food chain, it is necessary to investigate their effects on plant systems. Therefore, the effects of chemical AgNPs (chem-AgNPs) and biologically synthesized AgNPs (bio-AgNPs) at different levels (i.e., 0, 10, and 50 ppm) on physiological and biochemical traits {i.e., root and shoot growth traits, photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, Chl b, carotenoids, and total pigments), soluble sugars, total carbohydrates, starch, H2O2, and antioxidant enzyme activities} of Vicia faba L. seedlings were investigated. AgNPs were biosynthesized from silver nitrate (AgNO3) by a green synthesis approach using Jatropha curcas seed extract. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential, Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that bio-AgNPs at 10 ppm resulted in the highest growth, physiological, and biological traits of faba bean seedlings in comparison with those obtained from both AgNO3 and chem-AgNPs treatments. On the other hand, all AgNPs treatments adversely affected the chloroplast ultrastructure, however, fewer negative effects were obtained with the application of 10 ppm bio-AgNPs. In addition, the roots and shoots of seedlings contained the lowest Ag content under different treatments at 10 ppm AgNPs in comparison to the highest level of AgNPs (50 ppm), which indicates that additional studies should be incorporated to ensure safe use of lower concentrations of bio-AgNPs in seed priming. In conclusion, the application of biogenic nanoparticles at 10 ppm can be recommended to enhance plant growth and the productivity of strategic crops.
Keywords: AgNPs; Jatropha curcas; Vicia faba; antioxidant systems; chloroplast; growth traits.