EFFECT OF THE APPLICATION OF SILVER NITRATE ON ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN WATERMELON PLANTS

Abstract

In this experiment we studied the absorption of silver by watermelon plants of the variety Jubilee, as well as the effect on the lycopene content and antioxidant status. The treatments were based on a silver nitrate solution of different concentrations: 0, 30, 60, 90 and 200 mg·L-1, applied at intervals of 8 days throughout the crop cycle. The determination of silver content was performed by atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), whereas the detection of the silver particles inside plant tissues was carried out by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). By analyzing the data obtained in the experiment, a statistically significant difference was detected between treatments and between different plant organs. There was a greater accumulation of silver in the roots of plants and the content was positively related to the rate of application of AgNO3. The antioxidant status analyzed in the fruits increased three times in the plants exposed to 30 mg·L-1 AgNO3 concentration. Meanwhile, lycopene content decreased with increased concentration of silver in solution and showed the highest content with 30 mg·L-1 AgNO3.