RESEARCH ARTICLE Innovative application of facile single pot green synthesized CuO and CuO@APTES nanoparticles in nanopriming of Vigna radiata seeds Niloy Sarkar 1,2 & Radhey Shyam Sharma 2 & Mahima Kaushik 1 Received: 8 May 2020 /Accepted: 30 October 2020 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020 Abstract Nanopriming is an emerging field of science which uses nanoparticles in solution to improve parameters of seed vigor. This leads to an initial advantage to the crop plant at the germination phase of its life cycle, which is also the most vulnerable phase and may lead to an improved yield. In this study, we have synthesized copper oxide (CuO) and (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES)-coated CuO (CuO@APTES) nanoparticles via environmentally friendly green synthesis using the extract of Coriandrum sativum (coriander) herb. The synthesized nanoparticles were used as nanoprimers on Vigna radiata (moong bean), a model legume, to promote seed vigor via increase in germination. This was followed by characterization and comparison of both types of nanoparticles using various physicochemical techniques; UV-Visible (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All characterization techniques pointed out to the successful synthesis and coating of CuO nanoparticles. Seed imbibition and germination assays were performed, which indicated increased imbibition potential and germination promotion at low nanoparticle concentration. Such studies can be used in the development of simple prepackaged nanoprimer products, which can be used by farmers before sowing to provide a boost to their crops and productivity. Keywords CuO nanoparticles . CuO@APTES nanoparticles . Nanotoxicology . Nanoparticle environment effect . Nanopriming Introduction Seeds are the bedrock of agriculture and a stock of good quality seeds is still considered a prized possession of an agriculturalist. However, this seed quality or vitality depends primarily on three parameters: purity, health, and vigor (Venter 2001). The first two parameters of purity and health are relatively easy to satisfy by making sure that the seeds are devoid of debris, physical damage, and pathogens. The third parameter of vigor is not as immediate- ly visible. It can be measured as (germination percentage) x (root length (cm) + shoot length (cm)) (Hussain et al. 2017). Seed vigor is made even more important, considering the damage of seeds can suffer during packaging, transport, and long-term stor- age in agricultural logistic chains. A seed is basically an inactivated embryonic plant surrounded by layers of living and dead tissues along with metabolic reserves which are mobilized, and the plant resumes growth on germination (Toole et al. 1956). Three distinct phases are associated with seed germination and resumption of growth, beginning with imbibition of water, cell elongation, and cell proliferation (Toole et al. 1956). Physiologically, early imbibition is followed by massive tran- scriptome activation in the seed, which is regulated by internal and external factors such as temperature, light, and hormones (Weitbrecht et al. 2011). Nanopriming is the use of nanomaterials to enhance the ger- mination of seeds. It is a relatively new application of nanotech- nology in agriculture. In fact, many researchers have commented that there exists a deliberate bias in using higher concentrations of nanoparticles in order to prove phytotoxicity while ignoring any potential benefits at more environmentally realistic Responsible editor: Lotfi Aleya * Mahima Kaushik mkaushik@cic.du.ac.in; kaushikmahima2011@gmail.com 1 Nano-bioconjugate Chemistry Lab, Cluster Innovation Centre, Delhi, India 2 Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India Environmental Science and Pollution Research https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11493-6