EFFECTS OF TRACHYSPERMUM AMMI LEAF-SYNTHESIZED ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES ON GERMINATION, EARLY SEEDLING GROWTH AND BIOMASS OF VARIOUS RICE VARIETIES

Zinc deficiency adversely affects germination and early seedling growth in rice production.Inadequate zinc levels can diminish root and shoot development.However, ZnO nanomaterials can alleviate zinc inadequacy and effectively increase the crucial initial growth phases of rice.The primary objective of this study was to synthesize plant extract-based zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) from Trachysperum ammi (ajwain, ajowan) leaves.The nanoparticles were then characterized and applied to understand the effects on the development (via seed germination, growth, and vigor) of three distinct rice types .ZnO NP led to higher germination rates of all types of rice, namely to 76.55% from 53.77%, 75.44% from 71.44% and 80.55% from 76.22%, respectively, for JP-5, Basmati-385 and IR-6.The shoot lengths of JP-variety treated seedlings increased significantly by 36.4%, but the shoot lengths of Basmati-385 seedlings showed a notable drop of up to 63.3%.The root lengths of JP-5 seedlings exhibited a maximum increase of 102.5%.JP-5 and IR-6 exhibited an increase in vigor index I at concentrations of 100 and 200 ppm of ZnO nanoparticles while a slight decrease at 500 ppm was seen.In contrast, Basmati-385 seedlings displayed a decrease in vigor index I across all treatments, with the lowest value recorded at 500 ppm.Ahmad et al.: Effects of Trachyspermum ammi leaf-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles on germination, early seedling growth and biomass of various rice varieties -6374 -