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Engineered zinc oxide nanoparticles: an alternative to conventional zinc sulphate in neutral and alkaline soils for sustainable wheat production

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Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) were synthesized and characterized using SEM, EDAX, DLS and UV–Vis spectra. Its use as a nanofertilizer as an alternative to conventional zinc sulphate (ZnSO4.7H2O) was evaluated in five Zn-deficient soils with a variable pH range (7.2–8.7). For this, the carbon of the soil microbial biomass (SMBC), the bacterial population, the nutrient dynamics and the biometric parameters of the wheat crop were assessed. The varying dosages (0, 100, 200 and 500 mg/L), sizes (30–100 nm), and the spherical shape of ZnONPs were evaluated in comparison to ZnSO4.7H2O levels. Results showed the maximum SMBC and bacterial population at 100 mg/L of ZnONPs but a sharp decline at higher concentrations. In addition, soil application of ZnONPs at 5 mg/kg produced a higher root elongation (4.3–8.8%), shoot elongation (3.5–4.0%), total chlorophyll (4.9–5.6%), grain yield (1.7–2.3%) and grain Zn-content (1.6–2.1%) in comparison to the conventional ZnSO4.7H2O at 10 mg/L. ZnONPs at 100 mg/L produced a higher soil microbial biomass carbon (3.9–4.6%), bacterial population (7.2–9.0%), germination (22%) and grain Zn-content (17.9–20%) as compared to the conventional ZnSO4.7H2O at 0.5%. The higher grain Zn-contents could be attributed to the small size and high surface area of ZnONPs resulting in easy entry into the plant system either through root or foliar by penetrating the pores present in the cell membranes. Conversely, the conventional ZnSO4.7H2O, due to its larger size and higher solubility as compared to ZnONPs, has low retention in plant systems, high surface run-off and low fertilizer efficiency. Thus, the authors concluded to apply spherically synthesized ZnONPs (average size-36.7 nm) at 5 mg/kg in the soil application and 100 mg/L in the foliar application for maintaining SMBC and bacterial population, improving total chlorophyll, and grain Zn-contents and overall sustaining wheat production in Zn-deficient neutral and alkaline soils.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for granting the project entitled “Improvement in zinc micronutrient delivery for cereal crops employing engineered nanoparticles” [DST File No. SR/NM/NS-1109/2015(G)]. They are also grateful to Dr. Jagriti Narang, Amity Institute of Nanotechnology, and Dr. Amit C. Kharkwal, Amity Institute of Technology, AUUP, for their valuable guidance and support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Amity Centre for Soil Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Kuldeep Singh & Mukil Madhusudanan

  2. Amity Institute of Organic Agriculture (AIOA), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Aditya Kumar Verma, Chitranjan Kumar & Naleeni Ramawat

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  1. Kuldeep Singh
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Contributions

Kuldeep Singh (KS), Mukil Madhusudanan (MM), and Naleeni Ramawat (NR) designed and performed the work. KS, AKV, NR, and Chitranjan Kumar (CK) wrote the original manuscript after completion of a project work [DST File No. SR/NM/NS-1109/2015(G)]. KS, AKV, NR, and CK substantially revised and edited the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Naleeni Ramawat.

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Singh, K., Madhusudanan, M., Verma, A.K. et al. Engineered zinc oxide nanoparticles: an alternative to conventional zinc sulphate in neutral and alkaline soils for sustainable wheat production. 3 Biotech 11, 322 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-021-02861-1

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