Effect of concentration of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles on the growth and development of Lycopersiconesculentum

Abstract

The global dissemination of Lycopersicon esculentum, commonly referred to as the tomato, is attributed to its exceptional organoleptic attributes and nutritional contributions across a wide spectrum of culinary creations. Within this context, the progression of research efforts aimed at enhancing the yield of this crop holds paramount importance. In this regard, the application of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) during pivotal growth and developmental phases of L. esculentum emerges as a subject of profound interest. A multitude of investigations have elucidated that zinc, when administered within optimal thresholds, exerts dual roles as both a biofertilizer and a biopesticide, concurrently displaying potential to elevate the nutritional content of consumable fruits, thereby heralding transformative perspectives for conventional agricultural practices. Against this backdrop, this study aims to delineate the nuanced impact of various concentrations of biogenically synthesized ZnO NPs on the growth and maturation trajectory of L. esculentum (tomato). The research trajectory encompassed the synthesis of ZnO NPs and their subsequent characterization. Sequentially, a planned inoculation regimen was orchestrated, comprising six distinct experimental cohorts. Following emergence, a series of assessments were conducted, each spanning a 30-day interval, wherein an array of growth and developmental parameters were meticulously gauged, encompassing variables such as stem elongation, stem thickness, leaf density, floral abundance, cluster profusion, and fruit setting. A judicious amalgamation of empirical data acquisition and statistical scrutiny unveiled discernible differentials among the experimental modalities, significantly signifying the propitious influence of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the scrutinized variables. Consequently, it is unequivocally deduced that the sixth treatment regimen, characterized by the administration of 99.076 ppm ZnO NPs, engenders a constructive modulatory effect upon the stature of stem elongation, stem thickness, leaf density, floral abundance, cluster profusion, and fruit yield concerning L. esculentum. This discovery corroborates the potential of ZnO NPs to prognosticate an effective augmentation in the growth and development of this pivotal crop species.