Assessment of nanofertilizers’ effect on yield of seedling biomass in vegetable crops

Modern agriculture relies heavily on chemical fertilizers, which can lead to environmental issues. To address these challenges, nanofertilizers offer a potential solution by improving nutrient delivery and reducing environmental impact. This study explores the synthesis and effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on seed germination and seedling growth. The NPs (ZnO, Fe2O3, and MnO2) were greenly synthesized by using pea peel biomass and were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), confirming their size and shape. The sterilized seeds of tomato, chili, and brinjal were treated with aqueous solutions of NPs at concentrations of 10, 20, and 50 ppm. The seeds were sprayed at 48-hour intervals. The germination rates and growth parameters such as shoot and root length, as well as fresh and dry weight measured. UV-visible spectra revealed absorption peaks at 357 nm for ZnO, 333 nm for Fe2O3, and 360 nm for MnO2. FTIR and FESEM confirmed the successful synthesis and characterized the NPs’ sizes and shapes. Notably, MnO2 and their combinations of NPs enhanced seedling growth and biomass as compared to control. The findings highlight that green-synthesized MnO2 NPs effectively promote seed germination and seedling growth. These eco-friendly nanofertilizers offer a promising approach to enhancing crop yield and supporting sustainable agriculture.