Effect of silver nanoparticles and antioxidants on micropropagation of Rosa hybrida ‘Sahara’ via nodal culture

Excessive ethylene production in rose tissue culture represents a major challenge that impacts rose health and cultivation. We aimed to investigate the effects of silver nitrate (AgNO3), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and antioxidants on plant growth and ethylene production to establish an in vitro growth method for Korean-cultivated Rosa hybrida ‘Sahara.’ Nodal explant cultures of shoots were grown in a medium containing AgNPs, AgNO3, or antioxidants (ascorbic acid, citric acid, or both). We assessed the impact on growth, ethylene production, reactive oxygen species levels, and expression of genes associated with ethylene biosynthesis and signal transduction. Addition of AgNPs and AgNO3 to the medium mitigated overhydration and chlorosis, leading to improved SPAD values, fresh weight, and growth parameters compared to those of the control. Superoxide anion levels in the AgNP treatment group were lower than in all other treatment groups (p < 0.05). Ethylene concentrations and ethylene biosynthetic gene expression levels were significantly lower in the AgNP and AgNO3 treatment groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). In contrast, antioxidant treatments showed significant effects. Therefore, AgNPs may be suitable for enhancing the quality of plantlets in rose tissue culture by mitigating ethylene production-related challenges.