Engineered Nano-Carriers for Stimuli Controlled Release of Micronutrient in Plants

Abstract

Purpose Though metals are common components of the soil and readily available as nutrient for plants to be up-taken but still the crops commonly show symptoms of the micronutrient deficiency. This issue is attributed to the nonphyto-available form of the nutrients or loss of these micronutrients under variable environmental conditions. To sort out this problem, there is need of stimuli controlled micronutrient carrier for the plants that releases their nutrients in response to the certain stimuli. Method In the present research we have chosen the soil friendly nano-zeolite with chitosan coating for stimuli controlled release of the loaded micro-nutrients under variable environmental conditions. To analyze their efficacy, slow release experiment under different buffer conditions were carried out and to analyse the effect of micronutrient on response of the seeds, the germination studies were done in different soil pH conditions. Results The results indicated that the uptake proton signal from the roots acts as a stimulus to prevent the burst release from the carrier, the coating acts as a gate to maintain all the micronutrients in phyto-available forms and to open the pores. Conclusion The pH responsive chitosan and the porous nano-zeolite channel work together to create this phenomenon of good control over nutrient supply to plants.