Effect of Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles from Catharanthus Roseus Leaf Extracts on Agro-morphological Traits of Some Cowpea Genotypes in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cowpea is one of the most widely adaptable and salubrious grain legumes grown in moderately hot regions of Africa, Asia and America. A six weeks study was conducted to evaluate the effect of synthesized silver nano-particles (AgNPs) from Catharanthus roseus leaf extracts on agro-morphological traits of some cowpea genotypes (NGC-KT-19 and NGC-ZG-24) in Niger State. Seeds were soaked in different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm) of silver nanoparticles for 4 hours, sowed in planting bags laid out in a complete randomized design (CRD). The results revealed some significant differences within the traits studied. NGC-KT-19 recorded its highest plant height (112.24 cm) and leaf length (15.68 cm) with plants treated with 50 ppm concentration of AgNPs, number of leaves (63.80) and number of branches (23.40) with 25 ppm, leaf width (8.74 cm) with 100 ppm concentration of AgNPs. For NGC-ZG-24, the highest plant height (28.82 cm) was recorded in plants treated with 75 ppm, leaf length (11.88 cm) and leaf width (7.34 cm) with 50 ppm, number of leaves with 25 ppm and number of branches (15.40) with 100 ppm of AgNPs. These variations could be attributed to some environmental factors and varying concentrations of AgNPs which revealed that the traits are independent of the various concentrations used.