Effect of metallic and green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles on growth parameters and quality of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris ssp. cicla L.)
Various metallic, green-synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly incorporated into agricultural products.
However, there are still considerable gaps in knowledge of the plant uptake capacity, permissible limit, and ecotoxicity of different NPs.
Foliar spray of NPs is increasingly employed in agriculture, but the data regarding foliar uptake of NPs, associated biophysiochemical changes inside plants, and possible health hazards are limited.
Zinc (Zn) is a micronutrient with poor bioavailability, despite being essential for the vital functions of plants.
In this respect, this study determined the effect of nano-enabled Zn (aquatic suspension of metallic ZnO and green-synthesized G-ZnO) delivery via the foliar application on Zn accumulation, physiological and biochemical changes in Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris ssp. cicla L.). Plants were grown hydroponically in controlled environment growth chambers (PFD ‒ 220 µmol m-2 s-1, 18 h photoperiod, 21/17±2°C temperature, 60±5% relative humidity) and exposed via foliar spray of different ZnO and G-ZnO NPs at 0, 200, and 400 ppm concentrations.
The experimental results revealed that the foliar spray of 400 ppm NPs caused no visual damage in Swiss chard leaves.
Moreover, it improved fresh and dry biomass, leaf area, antioxidant activity, and macro-and microelement uptake.
ZnO and G-ZnO NPs treated Swiss chard leaves contained higher amounts of Zn.
These results indicate that applying ZnO and green-synthesized ZnO NPs could be employed in Swiss chard production to improve yield and quality.
Sutulienė, R., Pukalskas, A., Gudinskaitė, I., Balčiūnaitienė, A., Staytė, K., Tučkutė, S. and Pauliukaitė, R. (2025). Effect of metallic and green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles on growth parameters and quality of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris ssp. cicla L.). Acta Hortic. 1416, 101-106
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1416.13
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1416.13
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1416.13
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1416.13
ZnO, Zn, green synthesis, nanoparticles, Swiss chard, antioxidants, mineral elements
English
1416_13
101-106