title: Novel Effects of Nanoparticulate Delivery of Zinc on Growth, Productivity, and Zinc Biofortification in Maize (Zea mays L.).
abstract: In the present investigation, nanoscale zinc oxide particulates (ZnO-nanoparticulates) were prepared using a modified oxalate decomposition method. Prepared ZnO-nanoparticulates (mean size = 25 nm) were characterized using techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and zeta potential analyzer. Different concentrations (50, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000 ppm) of ZnO-nanoparticulates were examined to reveal their effects on maize crop on overall growth and translocation of zinc along with bulk ZnSO4 and control. Highest germination percentage (80%) and seedling vigor index (1923.20) were observed at 1500 ppm of ZnO-nanoparticulates. The yield was 42% more compared to control and 15% higher compared to 2000 ppm of ZnSO4. Higher accumulation of zinc (35.96 ppm) in grains was recorded with application of 100 ppm followed by 400 ppm (31.05 ppm) of ZnO-nanoparticulates. These results indicate that ZnO-nanoparticulates have significant effects on growth, yield, and zinc content of maize grains, which is an important feature in terms of human health.
authors.affiliation: Agri-Nanotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Frontier Technologies, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University , Tirupati 517 502, AP, India.
authors.forename: Layam Venkata
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Subbaiah
authors.affiliation: Agri-Nanotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Frontier Technologies, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University , Tirupati 517 502, AP, India.
authors.forename: Tollamadugu Naga Venkata Krishna Vara
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Agri-Nanotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Frontier Technologies, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University , Tirupati 517 502, AP, India.
authors.forename: Thimmavajjula Giridhara
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Krishna
authors.affiliation: Agri-Nanotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Frontier Technologies, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University , Tirupati 517 502, AP, India.
authors.forename: Palagiri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sudhakar
authors.affiliation: S. V. Agricultural College, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University , Tirupati 517 502, AP, India.
authors.forename: Balam Ravindra
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: DST Unit on Nanoscience, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras , Chennai, TN, India.
authors.forename: Thalappil
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pradeep
mesh_terms: D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D003313:Zea mays / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc
keywords: Bioavailability of zinc; Biofortification; ZnO-nanoparticulates; maize