Zinc oxide nano-fertilizer application (foliar and soil) effect on the growth, photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant system of maize cultivar

Abstract

Conventional fertilizers have nutrient utilization efficiency of just 30–35 percent, 18–20 percent, and 35–40 percent for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium respectively. For the previous few decades, the data has remained consistent, and study efforts have not yielded productive outcomes. Nanofertilizers provide higher nutrient utilization, lower cost, and lower vol/wt than traditional fertilizers due to their minute size, increased surface area, and unique properties. In this context, the nano-fertilizer was prepared and applied to maize cultivar and response is evaluated on the basis of growth, photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant system of the recommended hybrid variety (FH-1046) of maize. The nanoparticles were synthesized chemically and characterized using scanning-electron-microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform-infrared-spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques. The nano-fertilizers were applied to plants through soil and foliar application in an RCBD design. For soil application, 6 treatments including control, salt and four concentrations of nanofertilizer (40, 80, 120 and 160 mg/kg) were applied and the plant growth enhanced by 61.1%, photosynthetic pigments 51.8% and antioxidant activity 49.25% versus control plants. For foliar application, 5 treatments including control and four concentrations of nanofertilizer (10, 20, 30 and 40 ppm) were applied and the plant growth, photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant activity were increased by 59.28%, 48.19% and 52.91%, respectively. The results revealed that ZnO as nano-fertilizer enhanced the growth and extract yield of maize cultivar and have potential to be employed as a nano-fertilizer for crops cultivated in Zn-deficient soils to boost the quantitative and qualitative value of crop.