Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been shown to enhance seed germination and plant growth. In this study, we examined the plant response to AgNP dosage using a model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. Seedlings were treated with different concentrations of AgNPs. Seedling fresh and dry weights were measured for all treatments. The exposure of plants to 1 mg/l AgNPs resulted in a significant increase in seedling fresh and dry weights compared with control plants, although the exposure to lower and higher concentrations resulted in a decrease in fresh and dry weights. Expression profiling for 22 MADS-box genes was carried out using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Among the investigated MADS-box genes, eight genes were upregulated and four genes were down-regulated at each of the AgNP concentrations, 0.1 and 1 mg/l. Revealing the effects of AgNPs on the expression of MADS-box genes will increase our knowledge of their role before implementing a large-scale agricultural utilization of AgNPs in the improvement of plant growth and development.