Foliar application of silver (Ag-NPs) and copper (Cu-NPs) nanoparticles enhances phenotypic traits and oil quality in Brassica napus L

Nanotechnology represents a burgeoning field of science that enables advanced research across various domains. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the utilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for diverse agricultural and industrial applications. Similarly, copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) have significant attention in agriculture due to their cost-effectiveness and practicality. This study aimed to investigate the potential impact of silver and copper nanoparticles on enhancing both the yield and quality of Brassica napus L. cultivar CON-1. The combined foliar application of green synthesized silver and copper nanoparticles at varying concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 mg/L) resulted in notable improvements in the growth, yield and quality of Brassica napus L. compared to untreated plants. Particularly, the concentration of 25 mg/L for both silver and copper nanoparticles demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of plant height, number of primary and secondary branches/plant, number of siliques /plant, number of seeds/silique, siliqua length, 1000-seed weight, biological yield/plant, seed yield/plant, oil yield/plant, and harvest index. Furthermore, the nanoparticles effectively reduced the accumulation of erucic acid in the oil, thereby enhancing the overall oil quality of canola. In summary, the application of silver and copper nanoparticles shows promising potential in improving the productivity and quality of Brassica napus L., highlighting their role as beneficial agricultural additives in modern farming practices.