Abstract
The iron nano particles (INPs) loaded algal biomass can stimulate plant growth, leading to improved crop yields and quality. In this article, we have explored the efficacy of INPs-loaded biomass of Ulva intestinalis as ‘Nano-Phyco-Fertilizer (NPF)’ for rice cultivation. In situ INPs synthesis by Ulva biomass was spontaneous, turning the green thallus to brown due to the deposition of a large amount of intracellular INP within 24 h in dark conditions. The synthesized INPs was characterized as spindle-shaped with ferromagnetic properties by TEM analysis. The INPs-loaded algal biomass was dried, dusted, and applied to soil as NPF. Additionally, algal biomass without iron and free INPs were also tested separately and compared to NPF. The synergistic combination of algae and INPs in fertilizer formulations is a novel work and it offers several advantages over conventional fertilizers. As a result, after the application of NPF, the heights and grain yield of rice plants increased by 40 % and 2.5 times respectively. Moreover, the essential amino acid and iron content in rice grains showed a significant increase by 20–40 % and 45 % respectively upon NPF application, as compared to that of rice crops with conventional agricultural practice. The integration of algal and INP-based fertilizers represents a sustainable and innovative approach to meet the growing demands of global agriculture. As a result, it can be concluded that NPF shows significant enhancement in the growth and productivity of rice plant cultivation and holds immense promise in ensuring food security and mitigating the environmental impacts associated with conventional fertilization malpractices.
Published Version
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