Tracking of Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticle Effects on Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Plant Growth, Pigments, Mineral Content and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Colonization

Abstract

Important gaps in knowledge remain regarding the potential of nanoparticles (NPs) for plants, particularly the existence of helpful microorganisms, for instance, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi present in the soil. Hence, more profound studies are required to distinguish the impact of NPs on plant growth inoculated with AM fungi and their role in NP uptake to develop smart nanotechnology implementations in crop improvement. Zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) NPs are prepared via the citrate technique and defined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) as well as transmission electron microscopy for several physical properties. The analysis of the XRD pattern confirmed the creation of a nanocrystalline structure with a crystallite size equal to 25.4 nm. The effects of ZnFe2O4 NP on AM fungi, growth and pigment content as well as nutrient uptake of pea (Pisum sativum) plants were assessed. ZnFe2O4 NP application caused a slight decrease in root colonization. However, its application showed an augmentation of 74.36% and 91.89% in AM pea plant shoots and roots’ fresh weights, respectively, compared to the control. Moreover, the synthesized ZnFe2O4 NP uptake by plant roots and their contents were enhanced by AM fungi. These findings suggest the safe use of ZnFe2O4 NPs in nano-agricultural applications for plant development with AM fungi.

Potential of green synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles for enhancing seedling emergence, vigor and tolerance indices and DPPH free radical scavenging in two varieties of soybean under salinity stress

“…Seed priming is generally defined as the controlled hydration of the seeds to the level that allows pre-germinative metabolic activity to continue while averting the surfacing of the radicle. NPs are known as stimulating agents for plant growth modulating the physiological, biochemical and physicochemical pathways [13]. One of these, TiO 2 is a well-known NP has a wide range of applications in cleaning air products, skincare products, and cosmetics, and for organic matter decomposition in wastewater [14].…”

Prospective of mycorrhiza and Beauvaria bassiana silica nanoparticles on Gossypium hirsutum L. plants as biocontrol agent against cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis

“…Remarkably, the increase in shoot Fwt and root Dwt of cotton reared with S. littoralis with the dual application of AM fungi and B. bassiana Si NPs or Chlorpyrifos insecticide may be a result of B. bassiana Si NPs or Chlorpyrifos insecticide effect in reducing the insect damage caused by S. littoralis. In addition, the effective role of AM fungal inoculation in strengthening the cotton plant’s health through facilitating the nutrient uptake from the soil [ 26 , 53 ] and helping the plants better cope with S. littoralis pest stress through increasing its resistance and activation of plant immune responses [ 27 , 34 ]. Furthermore, the highest R/S ratio was recorded in AM cotton plants reared with S. littoralis and treated with B. bassiana Si NPs or Chlorpyrifos, this indicated a significant phytotoxic nature of S. littoralis and Chlorpyrifos [ 51 ].…”

In vivo and In vitro evaluation of the antifungal activity of the PGPR Bacillus amyloliquefaciens RaSh1 (MZ945930) against Alternaria alternata with growth promotion influences on Capsicum annuum L. plants

“…Leaf pigment content, which includes Chl and carotenoids, is a key measure of plant physiological status that could be used to assess photosynthetic activity [77][78][79][80]. Amounts of Chl a, Chl b, and carotenoids in pepper leaves in response to the different treatments are summarized in Fig.…”