Increased Plant Growth with Hematite Nanoparticle Fertilizer Drop and Determining Nanoparticle Uptake in Plants Using Multimodal Approach

Abstract

There is an emerging scientific interest in the use of nanoparticle fertilizers for enhanced agricultural and bioenergy crop production to meet the growing food and energy demands of the world. The objective of designing the nanoparticle fertilizers is to effectively deliver the required nutrients for the plants without adding large quantities of fertilizer to the environment. However, most reports on nanoparticle fertilizers so far, involved the addition of nanoparticles to the hydroponic system or the soil. In this study, we report a new modified seed presoak strategy using a drop of Fe-enriching hematite nanoparticle dispersion to enhance plant growth and production in four different legume species, i.e., chickpea, green gram, black bean, and red bean. The hematite nanoparticle fertilizer drop promoted a 230-830% increase in plant growth with green gram showing the highest increase, based on our prolonged and statistically reliable growth studies. In general, we observed an increase in the survival span of plants, a twofold increase in fruit production per plant, nearly two times faster fruit production, and healthy secondgeneration plants with the nanoparticle treatment; however, there were slight species-specific variations. We used a novel multimodal material characterization approach combining three techniques, hyperspectral imaging, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), to evaluate the internalization and transport of the nanoparticle fertilizer within the plants. Our results indicated that the hematite nanoparticles were transported through the roots and stems and were localized in the leaves after 10 days of growth in pots of soil. Therefore, the modified seed presoaking method using a drop of hematite nanoparticle will be highly attractive in enhancing plant growth and health, while minimizing environmental impacts.

Zinc Oxide and Silicone Nanoparticles to Improve the Resistance Mechanism and Annual Productivity of Salt-Stressed Mango Trees

“…Zinc is rapidly absorbed by flowers, and affects fruit set and development, as well as carbohydrate metabolism and nutrient uptake. Increase in yield of mango trees due to zinc application may be attributed to its role in flower bud differentiation [26]. Usenik and Stampar [114] reported that Zn plays an important role in auxin synthesis and improves metabolite translocation to the site of bud initiation or to the bud itself.…”

Using nano-scale Fe0 particles and organic waste to improve the nutritional status of tree seedlings growing in heavy metal-contaminated soil

“…Mehmood et al (2018) suggested that the addition of organic matter to soil improved plant nutrient uptake by limiting the heavy metal bioavailable concentration in the soil. Positive effects of Fe 0 -NPs on nutrient uptake by plants were also reported in previous studies (Kim et al 2014, Boutchuen et al 2019. It is still not clear how Fe-NPs alone can increase the macronutrient uptake (e.g., N, P, and K) by plants.…”

Superparamagnetic hematite nanoparticle: Cytogenetic impact on onion roots and seed germination response of major crop plants

“…Pariona et al [19] and Yuan et al [45] have also pointed out the similar enhancement of growth traits at low nanoparticles dosage in Zea mayz and Capsicum annuum , respectively. Recent findings by Boutchuen et al [46] and Jeyasubramanian et al [47] have also shed light on HNPs associated augmented growth in four legumes and spinach, respectively. Thus, our results further support the biological impact of HNPs and its possible agricultural applications.…”