Abstract
The above-ground parts of plants, including leaves, constitute an important part of a human diet. Their mineral and biological composition can be modified by proper preparation of the soil substrate, i.e., supplying it with nutrients. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) at 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg L−1 concentrations on red perilla (Perilla frutescens var. crispa f. purpurea) leaf yield and quality. Plants were grown in 2 L pot under a plastic greenhouse condition. The exposure to ZnO NPs increased leaf fresh and dry weight and leaf Zn content as compared with untreated control. Fresh weight boost was the most pronounced at 50 mg L−1 ZnO NPs. The lowest concentration of ZnO NPs also enhanced the content of total polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and antiradical activity. Treatments with 50 or 100 mg L−1 ZnO NPs boosted the level of total anthocyanins and bacteriostatic activity of 25% extracts. Overall, this study demonstrated that ZnO NPs at low rates is useful as a biostimulant and nanofertilizer for red perilla production.
Highlights
Nanotechnology is a branch of science offering the possibility of obtaining structures, forms of elements and compounds of nano-size (1 to 100 nm) that usually show very high chemical and biological activity
Irrespective of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) concentration, the plants fertilized with zinc reached greater fresh and dry weight of leaves, by on average 29.5% and 18.9%, versus controls not treated with ZnO NPs
The increase in fresh and dry weight as a result of ZnO NPs application was reported in carrot [20], rice [19] and tomato [22]
Summary
Nanotechnology is a branch of science offering the possibility of obtaining structures, forms of elements and compounds of nano-size (1 to 100 nm) that usually show very high chemical and biological activity. Among the engineered nanomaterials applied in agriculture and horticulture, the most interesting seem to be the nanoparticles of metal oxides used in the new generation of agrochemicals as fertilizers, plant protection products, herbicides and biostimulants [1,2,3]. Wide interest of researchers in agricultural practices and still inconclusive results spur on intensive research aimed at better understanding of plant response to nanoparticles of metal oxides. Zinc plays a crucial role in the daily functioning of the human body. It is necessary for the proper growth and regeneration of tissues, affects the structure of some proteins, the absorption of vitamins (vitamin A), and is responsible for the appropriate functioning of the immune system [12].
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