Evaluation of foliar application of zinc nanoparticles on growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) grown under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

Maize is one of the important crop for human consumption both directly and indirectly. It is also used as major feed source for cattle. After the major nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) micronutrient Zinc, plays critical role in growth and yield of Maize. By owing to zinc importance, the present investigation was conducted to find out the impact of foliar application of zinc nanoparticles. Microbial synthesized zinc nanoparticles (MNP’s) in the laboratory and chemically synthesized zinc nanoparticles (CNP’s) were foliar applied at 30 and 60 days after sowing in pot culture experiment. Experiment composed of twelve treatments, first treatment was control without any zinc application, second treatment was farmers practice of soil application of zinc sulfate, five treatments were with foliar spray of MNP’s (250, 500, 750, 1000 and 1250 ppm), and the other five with CNP’s (250, 500, 750, 1000 and 1250 ppm). Among the treatments, the treatments imposed with 750ppm of zinc nanoparticles foliar spray had shown significantly higher growth parameters, chlorophyll content and yield parameters. Application rate of 750 ppm put forward the maximum yield under application of microbial synthesized nanoparticles. Microbial synthesized nanoparticles possess a protein layer from the mother source which helps in improved dispersivity of nanoparticles and increase the active ingredient concentration available to the plant.