Influence of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles on growth and nutritional quality of Mustard Plants
Board Location: #125
Discipline: Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: analytical
Session: 1
DeZarae Guthrie - Prairie View A&M University
Co-Author(s): Addisie Geremew, Laura Carson
The development of nanomaterials based on essential nutrients like zinc could serve as a basis for nanofertilizers and nanocomposite synthesis for broader agricultural applications and quality human nutrition. This study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using pecan (Carya illinoinensis) leaf extract and investigate their effect on the growth, physiology, nutrient content, and antioxidant properties of mustard (Brassica juncea). The ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Mustard plants were subjected to different concentrations of ZnO NPs (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 200 mg L-1) during the vegetative growth stage. DLS analysis presented monodispersed ZnO NPs of 84.5 nm size and highly negative zeta potential (-22.4 mV). Overall, the application of ZnO NPs enhanced the growth, chlorophyll content (by 53 %), relative water content (by 46 %), membrane stability (by 54 %) and net photosynthesis significantly in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the supplement of the ZnO NPs augmented K, Fe, Zn and flavonoid contents as well as reduced the effect of reactive oxygen species by increasing antioxidant capacity in mustard leaves up to 97 %. In conclusion, ZnO NPs can be potentially used as a plant growth stimulant and as a novel soil amendment for enhancing crop yields. Besides, the biofortification of B. juncea plants with ZnO NPs helps to improve the nutritional quality of the crop and perhaps potentiates its pharmaceutical effects.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): USDA Capacity building project, PVAMU, PVAMU-CARC
Faculty Advisor: Laura Carson, lecarson@pvamu.edu
Role: Research assitant