The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of two types of multi-walled carbon nanotubes: raw MWCNTs and carboxylated MWCNTs, on the germination, growth and selected physiological properties of grasses: timothy grass, common meadow grass and meadow fescue. The response of these species to 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 and 8.3 mg ml-1 MWCNTs and 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.75 and 16.7 mg ml-1 carboxylated MWCNTs was evaluated in a laboratory experiment. Then, germination energy and germination ability of the grasses were assessed. The effect of administering 15 g pot-1 MWCNTs and 80 g pot-1 carboxylated MWCNTs was assessed in a two-year pot experiment. Other examined parameters included SPAD value, dry matter yield, root mass, and the content of macro- and microelements in the grasses. Both types of CNTs inhibited seed germination, and seeds of all grasses treated with the highest concentration of carboxylated MWCNTs did not germinate at all. Soil supplementation with carboxylated MWCNTs significantly decreased the dry matter yield of common meadow grass but improved this parameter in timothy grass and meadow fescue. Application of MWCNTs significantly reduced dry matter yield in all studied grasses. The lowest mean SPAD value was observed for MWCNT-treated common meadow grass, and the highest one appeared in meadow fescue with carboxylated MWCNTs. In most cases, the presence of raw nanotubes reduced root mass and the content of macro- and microelements, while carboxylated nanotubes increased root mass and the content of these elements.

23.1.2018