The Effects of Zinc-Oxide Nanoparticles on Growth Parameters of Corn (SC704)

Abstract

Nanoparticles are widely used in various fields like medicine and agriculture. Plant growth is hindered in mineral poor soils. Supplementing mineral poor soils can improve plant growth. One role of nanoparticles in agriculture is stimulating crop growth. In this study, the three different physical forms of ZnO particles in irrigation water were used to supplement mineral poor soil. Their effect on the growth of single cross 704 (SC704) corn was investigated. We studied the effects of ZnO nanocolloid, ZnO nanoparticles, and micrometric ZnO particles. The concentration of nanoparticles in irrigation water was 2 ppm. The results show that the addition of all three ZnO particle types in irrigation water improved shoot dry matter and leaf area index. The best results came from the ZnO nanoparticle treatment which on average, increased the shoot dry matter and leaf area indexes by 63.8% and 69.7% respectively. Based on these results, we can conclude that zinc nanoparticles can improve corn growth and yield in mineral poor soils.