Evaluation of Efficacy of“Cassia renigera”Leaf Extract Mediated ZnO Nanoparticles as Nano Fertilizer for Cauliflower Plant

Abstract

AbstractPresent study portrays, environment benign and cost‐effective method to synthesize Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) usingCassia renigeraleaf extract (CRLE). X‐ray diffraction profile was analyzed using Rietveld refinement technique which revealed the hexagonal crystallinity with space groupP63mc. FTIR spectrum ofCassia renigeraleaf extract mediated ZnO NPs (CRLE: ZnO NPs) showed bends located at 3352 cm−1and 1394 cm−1belonging to phenolic groups present in phytochemicals of CRLE, which manifested that CRLE acted as capping agent for ZnO NPs. UV‐Visible absorption spectrum displayed strong humps located at 240 nm and 280 nm, respectively in the UV range confirming the formation of CRLE: ZnO NPs which has depicted non‐uniform grain distribution without any traces of agglomeration with grain size ranging ∼ 28–112 nm. The application of CRLE: ZnO NPs in Cauliflower seedling inhibited the effect of Cauliflower pathogen′Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris′ (Xcc) and also helped in plant metabolism. CRLE: ZnO NPs uptake, translocation and biotransformation in the form of Zn2+affected the overall growth of the plant with enriched micronutrients. CRLE: ZnO NPs were introduced in the cauliflower crops through seeds and promising results were obtained. Introduction of CRLE: ZnO NPs in Cauliflower seeds developed good growth parameters as compared to bare seeds.