Email this article Foliar application of zinc oxide (ZnO) nano fertilizer improves the growth and physiological attributes of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)
Abstract
Zinc is an essential micronutrient required in trace amounts by all living organisms for their natural growth, development and reproduction. It serves as a cofactor for various enzymes and proteins involved in several physiological and metabolic pathways. Low availability of the soluble form of this micronutrient (Zn2+) causes Zn deficiency in plants and related food chains. Foliar fertilization is an effective way to conquer the problem and improve zinc content in plants. Study was performed to determine the effect of foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the growth and yield of Cucurbita moschata (var. Banochi). Three-week-old seedlings of the plant were subjected to different doses of zinc oxide nanoparticles (T0= control, T1= 25ppm, T2= 50ppm and T3=100 ppm) four times (in an interval of fifteen days) via foliar spray for 100 days. The results showed that a 50 ppm optimum dose of ZnO NPs favour the plant growth by significantly improving shoot length (6.1 feet), root length (4.3 cm), dry weight (shoot- 12.21 g; root – 6.31 g) and seed weight (1.16 times more than control). The maximum photosynthetic rate (1.21 folds), chlorophyll content (1.5 folds), transpiration rate (1.2 folds), and stomatal conductance (1.2 folds) were also recorded at this concentration. However, a higher concentration of nanoparticles (100 ppm ZnO NPs) reduces these attributes. Thus, the finding for the first time suggested the optimum dose of nano zinc to be applied as fertilizers for obtaining maximum growth and yield from pumpkin.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33687/jacm.006.02.5038
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Journal of Arable Crops and Marketing
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