Seaweed-metal oxide nanoparticles association: Examining biological routes towards enhancing crops and agricultural sustainability
摘要
Modern intensive agricultural practices aimed at increasing cereal and pulse crop productivity have stimulated interest in environmentally benign nanofertilizers derived from biological sources. In the present study, Codium decorticatum extract was employed as a reducing and stabilizing agent for the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanometer-sized particles (ZnO NPs). The successful formation of ZnO NPs was confirmed through comprehensive physico-chemical characterization, and the particles exhibited an average size of 24 nm. The agronomic potential of the biogenically synthesized ZnO NPs was evaluated through foliar application at different concentrations on Vigna mungo (black gram). Among the tested doses, 20 mg L-1 ZnO NPs produced the most pronounced improvements in growth and yield parameters compared with sprouting of seeds. Significant enhancements were observed in seed germination (88%), plant height (33 cm), shoot length (22 cm), root length (8.8 cm), fresh biomass (25 g), dry biomass (6.37 g), number of branches (12), leaf area (8.08 cm²), number of pods (62), and pod length (6.3 cm). These results indicate that low-dose foliar application of biogenically synthesized ZnO NPs can positively influence plant growth and productivity. Overall, this study demonstrates that C. decorticatum–mediated synthesis of ZnO NPs is an eco-friendly and sustainable approach, and that the resulting nanomaterials exhibit promising potential as nanofertilizers for improving the growth and yield of Vigna mungo.