2.4. Seed germination and root growth
To study the short-term effect of exposing seeds to nZnO, 20 sterilized
pea seeds were placed in 20 mL of nZnO suspension and shaken
gently for 24 h in the dark. Afterward, the imbibed seeds were transferred
to 1% water agar in large Petri dishes (25 cm × 25 cm). The
seeds were allowed to germinate in the dark and the number of seeds
germinated was quantified on the third day. Positive germination was
scored upon the emergence of the radical. The root length was measured
daily for four consecutive days, starting on the third day after