Use of Carbon Nanoparticles to Improve Soil Fertility, Crop Growth and Nutrient Uptake by Corn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The use of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) as a fertilizer synergist to enhance crop growth has attracted increasing interest. However, current understanding about plant growth and soil response to CNPs is limited. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CNPs at different application rates on soil properties, the plant growth and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of corn (Zea mays L.) in two agricultural soils (Spodosol and Alfisol). The results showed that CNPs affected corn growth in a dose-dependent manner, augmenting and retarding growth at low and at high concentrations, respectively. The amendment at the optimal rate of 200 mg CNPs kg−1 significantly enhanced corn growth as indicated by improved plant height, biomass yield, nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency, which could be explained by the higher availability of phosphorus and nitrogen in the amended soils. The application of CNPs largely stimulated soil urease activity irrespectively of soil types. However, the responses of dehydrogenase and phosphatase to CNPs were dose dependent; their activity significantly increased with the increasing application rates of CNPs up to 200 mg kg−1 but declined at higher rates (>400 mg kg−1). These findings have important implications in the field application of CNPs for enhancing nutrient use efficiency and crop production in tropical/subtropical regions.

Spectroscopic and chemical properties of biochar and water treatment residual nanoparticles and their effects on canola growth and biological activity

“…However, when nWTR was added at higher rates (> 50 mg kg − 1 soil) this reduced canola plant growth, which are likely caused by Al toxicity and the potential harm of nWTR to plants. Similar results were reported by Zhao et al 74 . The difference in the response between the nB and nWTR is due to their different properties such as pH, organic matter, clay content and elemental content as well as soil properties.…”

The potential of nanomaterials for sustainable modern agriculture: present findings and future perspectives

“…49 β-Glucosidase is characteristically useful as a soil quality indicator. 50 Similarly, Zhao et al 51 found that CNPs may increase the N, P, and K utilization efficiency by enhancing the absorption of maize plants, which may be associated with improved nutrient retention and enzyme activity (urease activity) in soils. The exogenous application of Fe 3 O 4 and Fe 2 O 3 NPs treatments at concentrations of 0.42, 0.84, and 1.26 mg g −1 considerably increased the soil enzymes activity of invertase and urease, respectively.…”

Nanofertilizers: A Smart and Sustainable Attribute to Modern Agriculture

“…Moreover, recent studies have suggested that adding NPs to the soil increases the enzymatic activity. Zhao et al [ 58 ] reported that carbon NPs (up to 200 mg kg −1 ) greatly enhanced the activities of urease, dehydrogenase, and phosphatase. They also enhanced the ability of soils to store accessible nutrients, such as ammonium N, nitrate N, and available P [ 58 ].…”

“…Zhao et al [ 58 ] reported that carbon NPs (up to 200 mg kg −1 ) greatly enhanced the activities of urease, dehydrogenase, and phosphatase. They also enhanced the ability of soils to store accessible nutrients, such as ammonium N, nitrate N, and available P [ 58 ]. Additionally, Xin et al reported that urease, phosphatase, and dehydrogenase were stimulated by the impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes [ 59 ].…”