Synthesis of nano calcium borate using sugarcane bagasse extract as a capping agent and its potential to promote germination in cowpea seeds

Boron and calcium are essential plant nutrient and their deficiency affects vegetative and reproductive growth of plants. Supplementing deficient nutrients by fertilizer application is essential but is accompanied by environmental pollution. Replacing conventional fertilizers with nanofertilizers may help in mitigating pollution as their nutrient use efficiency is higher. The synthesis of nanoparticles often utilizes chemicals that are detrimental to the environment. Thus use of greener alternative methods of synthesis of calcium borate nanoparticles is of special interest. In this study we synthesised nano calcium borate utilising the aqueous extract of sugarcane bagasse, a cheap, nontoxic, easily available agricultural waste, as a source of capping agent. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by powder XRD, FTIR and TEM. The calcium borate synthesized was amorphous in nature and of nanoscale. Priming cowpea seeds and misting them with synthesized calcium borate nanoparticle proved to be effective, resulting in enhanced seed germination, increased root length, and an improved vigour index compared to using bulk counterparts.