Effect of Zinc Nanoparticles on Seed Priming, Growth and Production of Cucumber

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important vegetable and its demand remains around the year. High quality and yield are desired quality for both grower and consumers. Therefore, influence of seed priming and foliar application of zinc nano particles was checked on yield and quality of cucumber. ZnO nano particles are non-toxic and recently listed as “Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)” safe material by food and drug administration and use as food additive. Due to interaction of nano particles with plant, many physiological and morphological changes take place depending on the characteristic of Nanoparticles. By the exploitation of new application of nanotechnology crop yield can be increased. In plants, nano particles as a zinc fertilizer with small size and large surface area are predicted to be an ideal material to use. Zinc is one of the vital nutrients required for plant growth Result indicate that zinc nano particles at 20 ppm concentration increased seed germination as well as physical parameters plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of flower, yield, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, average single fruit weight, fruit firmness and fruit color was increased. Furthermore, chemical parameters like total soluble solids, ascorbic acid and titratable acidity was increased at 20 ppm zinc nano particles as compared to control and other treatments. Present research proves that seed priming and foliar application of zinc nano particles are effective for improving fruit physical and chemical characteristics. The finding of this research work will be helpful in future research on utilization of nano particles for vegetable crops.