Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as Fertilizer for the Germination, Growth and Metabolism of Vegetable Crops

摘要

In the present study, we compared the effects of bulk and nano dimensional zinc oxide particles (ZnO NPs) on germination, growth and biochemical parameters of cabbage, cauliflower and tomato vegetable crops. It is observed that bulk ZnO particles is phytotoxic and adversely affect germination, seedling growth and biochemical parameters of all the test crops. It decreased germination and caused stunting of stem. Unlike the bulk, nano-dimensional zinc oxide particle enhanced germination, seedling growth, pigments, sugar and protein contents along with increased activities of antioxidant enzymes in all the three test crops. Zinc oxide NPs invariably increase pigments, protein and sugar contents and nitrate reductase activities in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata). Cauliflower in response to higher concentration of ZnO NPs (9.0 μM) maintained the germination, seedling growth and sugar at the level of control, while SOD and CAT to the level ZnO treated seedlings. ZnO NPs induced activities of antioxidant enzymes viz. SOD, CAT, APX and POD. The activities of antioxidant enzymes in ZnO NPs treated seedlings were lower as compared to those treated with bulk ZnO. Nanoparticles buttressed the metabolic processes of the three test crops. The order of sensitivity of the crops to ZnO and ZnO NPs was cauliflower < tomato < cabbage. ZnO NPs appeared to mitigate the phytotoxic effects of bulk ZnO.