Abstract
Nanotechnology offers new opportunities for the development of novel materials and strategies that improve technology and industry. This applies especially to agriculture, and our previous field studies have indicated that zinc oxide nanoparticles provide promising nano-fertilizer dispersion in sustainable agriculture. However, little is known about the precise ZnO-NP effects on legumes. Herein, 1 mg·L−1 ZnO-NP spray was dispersed on lentil plants to establish the direct NP effects on lentil production, seed nutritional quality, and stress response under field conditions. Although ZnO-NP exposure positively affected yield, thousand-seed weight and the number of pods per plant, there was no statistically significant difference in nutrient and anti-nutrient content in treated and untreated plant seeds. In contrast, the lentil water stress level was affected, and the stress response resulted in statistically significant changes in stomatal conductance, crop water stress index, and plant temperature. Foliar application of low ZnO-NP concentrations therefore proved promising in increasing crop production under field conditions, and this confirms ZnO-NP use as a viable strategy for sustainable agriculture.
Highlights
Legumes are nutritionally valuable and most important in the human diet by providing proteins, complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber [1,2]
The Zn foliar supplementation did not affect its translocation to seeds regardless of Zn content, and did not change the lentil seed nutrient quality
There were no statistically significant differences in treated and untreated lentil seed nutrients, slightly higher average values were noted in the control, except for potassium
Summary
Legumes are nutritionally valuable and most important in the human diet by providing proteins, complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber [1,2]. Lentil legumes are especially high in proteins and essential amino acids, fiber and minerals and low in fat and Nanomaterials 2022, 12, 310. Sufficient amounts of micronutrients are required for optimal lentil growth and development [8] These include zinc (Zn) because its deficiency negatively affects plant reproductive functions and pollen development [9], reduces leaf area and induces chloroses and abnormal growth of plant structures. This deficiency can result in higher sensitivity to biotic and abiotic stress [10]. Zn agronomic management includes foliar application and soil fertilization [11,12,13]
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