Titanium Dioxide Impact on Growth and Yield Parameters of Sunflower

Nanoparticles have unique properties and are used in fertilizers. Seed priming can improve seed germination and seedling growth. Various nanoparticles are used in seed germination and growth of various plant species and varieties. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on plant morphology when applied from leaves at different growth stages of sunflower and used as seed priming material. Before the start of the field experiment the seeds were soaked in 20 mg Lˉ¹ for 8 hours. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design using five TiO2 treatments with three times replicated doses of 0 (control), 20 mg Lˉ¹ TiO2 treatments to seeds, and at different growth stages. Plant height reached its highest level with TiO2 treatments to seeds in both years. The maximum yield value observed in TiO2 treatments to seeds in the first year of the experiment. Results revealed that TiO2 application to seeds and at V-4 stage is the most effective stages on sunflower growth.