Biogenesis of ZnO nanoparticles for revolutionizing agriculture: A step towards anti -infection and growth promotion in plants

Abstract

Current intensive agricultural practices to improve the yield in food crops have kindled new research formulations towards novel fertilizers and natural pesticides, specifically involving nanomaterials. Biogenesis of ZnO nanoparticles has been performed using Citrus medica peel extract as a primary agent to support the quality of ladies finger seeds as well as the yield of the ladies finger pods for the first time. The obtained results by different analyses of physico-chemical properties indicate the formation of ZnO nanoparticles. Antimicrobial efficiencies of plant pathogenic organisms such as Streptomyces sannanesis, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger were calculated using agar well method. Foliar applications of biogenesis based ZnO nano-fertilizer of various concentrations were collectively performed for Abelmoschus esculentus. Among the concentrations, plant acquired 20 mg/L proved to have the highest biochemical contents compared to the control. Increase of the growth parameters such as seed germination (89 %), Total plant height (34 cm), Shoot height (18 cm), Root height (7.8 cm), Total fresh weight (22 gm), Shoot fresh weight 914 gm), Root fresh weight (1.8 gm), Total dry weight (5.24 gm), Shoot dry weight (4.76 gm), Root dry weight (0.39 gm), Number of branches (7), Leaf area (7.8 cm), Number of pods (7) and Length of pods (13 cm) compared to hydro-primed seeds under this category were identified. From this study we concluded that biogenesis of ZnO nanoparticles has been successfully accomplished and is a safe, non-toxic, environmentally compatible material. Synthesized ZnO nanoparticles proved to have excellent antimicrobial activity against disease causing pathogens in plants. In addition, ZnO nano-fertilizer exhibited amazing results to improve the growth and yield of Abelmoschus esculentus. Therefore, the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles exhibiting excellent antimicrobial activities along with a nanofertilizer potential can be recommended for agriculture applications.