Synthesis, characterization and drought stress alleviating attributes of zinc oxide and urea doped calcium phosphate nanoparticles on Eleusine coracana (l.) gaertn.
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Date
2022-10
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G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
Abstract
Globally, fertilizers play a significant role in increasing agricultural crop production. owever, non-targeted application and the high cost of the conventional fertilizer is a major bottleneck for soil health and environmental safety. Therefore, there is a need to develop a sustainable approach for synthesis and the utilization of the fertilizer that reduces its costs through an effective and targeted application. The present study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and urea doped calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP-U NPs) as crop nutrients that are distributed in a controlled manner for use as a fertilizer. Both nanoparticles have outstanding biocompatibility and played an essential role in plant growth. The fabricated NPs were characterized by UV-Visible Spectrophotometry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Zeta Potential and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Under in-vitro condition, ZnO NPs at 100 μg/ml, inhibited 73.5% of DPPH concentration. ZnO NPs, showed strong anti-inflammatory activity and antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. Application of ZnO and CaP-U NPs on finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) (var. VL-379) under in-vitro conditions significantly increased seed germination, seedling vigour, shoot-root length, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll content, SOD, POD and APX activity. Under glasshouse conditions, foliar spray of ZnO NPs (50 and 100 ppm), ZnSO4 (50 and 100 ppm), CaP-U NPs (0.1 and 0.5 %) and bulk urea (0.1, and 0.5 %) at 15 and 30 days after sowing significantly enhanced shoot-root length, plant fresh and dry weight, Chlorophyll a & b, proline, total phenolic content and antioxidant defense enzymes and significantly lowered MDA and H2O2 content under drought stress. The results of the study revealed that both the NPs play a significant role in augmenting finger millet growth as well as alleviation of the adverse effects of drought.