Nano seed priming with biogenic ZnO: Assessing the germination potential of sweet corn seeds

Sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) is a widely cultivated crop valued for its high sugar content and nutritional profile. Seed priming is a pre-sowing technique that enhances germination and seedling vigour and nanopriming has gained prominence with the advent of nanotechnology (NPs). This study aimed to standardize the green synthesis protocol for zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Moringa oleifera (MO) leaf extract and assess their impact on sweet corn seed priming. ZnO NPs were synthesized by co-precipitation method, characterized via XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, TEM and EDAX analyses and subsequently applied in seed priming treatments at concentrations ranging from 100–500 ppm. The laboratory experiment, conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), evaluated germination parameters such as Germination Percentage (GP), Germination Rate (GR), Seedling Vigour Index (SVI), Mean Germination Time (MGT) and Coefficient of Velocity of Germination (CVG). Results revealed that ZnO NP priming significantly improved germination performance, with the 100 ppm as an ideal priming treatment exhibiting improvement in germination percentage (89.33 %), seedling length and vigour index (3873). The study suggests the potential of biogenically synthesized ZnO NPs in enhancing seed germination and seedling vigour, demonstrating their applicability as an eco-friendly priming agent These findings not only demonstrate the potential of green-synthesized ZnO NPs as an eco-friendly priming agent but also underscore their broader applicability in advancing sustainable agriculture through enhanced crop establishment and resource-efficient seed treatments.