INVESTIGATE THE IMPACT OF ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES UNDER LEAD TOXICITY ON CHILLI (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L)

Capsicum annuum L is a commercially significant and valuable crop throughout the world. Weather variations and other stresses can significantly affect the growth and productivity of plants and limit crop productivity. One of the biggest stresses is lead poisoning since it hinders agricultural output and growth. Plants undergo biochemical, physiological, and morphological alterations in response to lead toxicity. As a result, the use of nanoparticles as an emerging method can significantly increase crop productivity. In this study, Kiar plants were employed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles. Seed priming was performed using various applications of ZnO-NPs solution. In a field experiment, chilli plants were cultivated with various concentrations of lead acetate. Two different concentrations (250mg L-1 and 500mg L-1) were administered into the root zone. The following measurements were made after the ZnO nanoparticle supplementation: total chlorophyll content, carotenoids, peroxidase, catalase, flavonoids, and total phenolics content. Root and shoot length, fresh root weight and shoot weight, and dry root weight and shoot weight were all included in the morphological study. Nonetheless, the most noteworthy outcomes, proving that the concentration of ZnO-NPs affected chilli plants, was obtained upon applying the particles at a 150 ppm concentration. In comparison to untreated plants, the outcomes demonstrated that all plants treated with ZnO nanoparticles performed better when under stress.