Research Article | Volume 11, Issue 5, September, 2023

Efficacy of mineral nutrients and nanomaterials on the productivity of capsicum (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Rani) under polyhouse

Himanshi Dwivedi Shailesh Kumar Singh Shraddha Mahajan Sachin Kishor Deepak Maurya Vineet Kumar   

Open Access   

Published:  Aug 10, 2023

DOI: 10.7324/JABB.2023.113857
Abstract

The application of minerals as nanomaterials has greater scope to bring improvement in the growth and yield of capsicum. The nanomaterials play a significant role in cellular metabolism and uptake of nutrients so have the potential to improve the productivity of capsicum. The experiment was conducted in a naturally ventilated polyhouse at a horticulture farm of the ITM University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, during 2021–2022 with the view to find the efficacy of mineral nutrients, namely calcium (Ca), Sulfur (S), and molybdenum (Mo) in combination with nanomaterials, namely nano-Zinc (nano-Zn), nano-Iron (nano-Fe), and nano-magnesium (nano-Mg) on the productivity of capsicum (cv. Rani). The combined application of calcium and nano-Zn or nano-Mg as N1M1 (nano-Zn and CaCl2 at 1000 ppm each) and N3M1 (nano-Mg and CaCl2 at 1000 ppm each) is the effective approach for improvement in productivity of capsicum. The combined application of these nanomaterials in the presence of calcium is mainly attributed to effective nutrient uptake and utilization due to the positive Ca-Zn or Ca-Mg interaction.


Keyword:     Capsicum Calcium chloride Nanomaterials Nano-Mg Nano-Zn Productivity


Citation:

Dwivedi H, Singh SK, Mahajan S, Kishor S, Maurya D, Kumar V. Efficacy of mineral nutrients and nanomaterials on the productivity of capsicum (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Rani) under polyhouse. J App Biol Biotech. 2023;11(5):206-212. http://doi.org/10.7324/JABB.2023.113857

Copyright: Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.

HTML Full Text

1. INTRODUCTION

The genus Capsicum, consisting of various types of peppers, is a solanaceous vegetable crop and is native to tropical America. Naturally, it is a cool-season and perennial crop and is successfully grown under conditions having 25–30°C of day temperature, 18–20°C of night temperature, and 50–60% of RH for quality fruit production. The capsicum can yield an average of 20–40 tonnes of fruits per hectare during a life span of 4–5 months; however, under protected conditions or a naturally ventilated polyhouse (NVP), the crop can grow for 7–10 months with a potential yield of 80–100 tonnes of green or colored fruits in 1 ha.

Capsicum is a heavy feeder of nutrients which are essential for high productivity. Calcium is required for the integrity of tissues and cell walls, so it is essential during the rapid growth of fruits (log phase) in pepper plants. If the availability of calcium is not enough to meet the requirement of growing fruits of solanaceous crops, the fruits start to show rotting at the distal end due to the collapse of cell walls or tissues [1]. Sulfur has a significant role in the synthesis of proteins and enzymatic activation, so it is a necessary element for the defense of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses [2]. The application of nanomaterials as nano-fertilizers or nano-coated nutrients provides the nutrient as per the demand of the crop that synchronizes the growth of a plant and increases target activity. In many studies, a fact came that zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) improved seed germination, seedling vigor, plant growth, flowering, and fruiting [3]. According to investigations carried out, the NPs (Zn, Cu, Ag, Fe, Mg, and TiO2) have also shown antifungal efficacy against several pathogens including many species of Penicillium, Botrytis, Aspergillus, and Fusarium [4-7]. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-NPs) are an anti-bacterial agent with the advantage of being non-toxic and relatively easy to obtain [8]. MgO-NPs enhanced light uptake and promoted the plant’s photosynthetic activities to boost plant growth in Ananas comosus var. bracteatus at the concentration of 1 g/mL while higher concentration has a negative impact [9]. Iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) bear magnetic properties, so it is effective to boost the rate of nutrient absorption, translocation, and utilization to improve the photosynthetic process [10]. According to research reports, the Fe-NPs have a two-fold impact on plants as it has been reported to have a highly positive impact on growth and development when applied in low concentrations while it seems to have a detrimental effect when applied in higher concentration [11].

It can be inferred from studies of available literature that nanomaterials have greater potential to improve plant growth, flowering, fruiting, and yield in capsicum; however, there is a need to understand the effectiveness of interaction between nanomaterials and mineral nutrients. Thus, the experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of mineral nutrients (Ca, S, and Mo) in combination with nanomaterials (Zn, Fe, and Mg) on the productivity of capsicum grown under NVP.


2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Experimental Area and Materials

The study was conducted during 2021–2022 under NVP at the agriculture farm of ITM University, Gwalior. The experimental area was located latitudinally around 26?13’ N and longitudinally around 76°14’ E at an altitude of 211.52 m from the mean sea level in the Gwalior district of the gird region of northern Madhya Pradesh. The polyhouse, which was used for experimentation, is comprised of galvanized iron pipes, a 40-mesh insect-proof nylon net, and a 200-micron-thick translucent polythene sheet. Since the polyhouse was naturally ventilated, an insect-proof nylon net was employed to allow for natural air movement and insect-free ventilation. The cultivar Rani was selected for study as it is a high-yielding hybrid variety of capsicum that alone has a cultivated area of 3000 ha in India.

2.2. Experimental Design and Details

2.2.1. Treatments details and application

The experiment was set as factorial randomized block design (RBD) with two factors: Mineral nutrients (Ca, S, and Mo) and nanomaterials (nano-Fe, nano-Zn, and nano-Mg) applied at the rate of 1000 ppm as a foliar application. Each mineral nutrient and nanomaterial were replicated thrice and randomized separately.

The nanomaterials used in treatments were purchased from Geolife Agritech India Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, Maharashtra. Geolife nano-Zn and nano-Fe are water-soluble white powder formulations, chelated with EDTA and amnios, and are available in 12% composition while nano-Mg is a water-soluble white powder formulation, chelated with EDTA and amnios, and is available in 9.5% composition. These materials were used at 1000 ppm concentration. Calcium was applied as laboratory-grade anhydrous salt of CaCl2, containing 36% of calcium; sulfur was applied as wettable sulfur (80%); and molybdenum was applied as ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate [(NH4)6Mo7O24.4H2O], containing 53% of Mo. These materials were also used at 1000 ppm concentration.

2.2.2. Climatic and soil conditions in the polyhouse

The temperature inside the polyhouse was optimized up to 25°C with a relative humidity of around 65% by running the foggers for 5 min as and when the leaves become dry (at an interval of 2–5 h) during day time. The soil condition was suitable for the cultivation of capsicum with pH of 7.6 and electrical conductivity of 0.32 ds/m; however, the organic carbon (45%) and available nitrogen (197 Kg/ha) were low with moderately available phosphorus (19 Kg/ha) and potassium (241 Kg/ha).

2.2.3. Agronomical operations

Capsicum plants were grown in raised beds of dimensions including the bed’s height (30 cm), breadth (90 cm), and distance between beds (60 cm) [Figure 1]. Before transplanting the seedlings, the beds are lightly irrigated to keep the soil moist. The neem cake was mixed at the rate of 1 kg/sq m during the bed preparation to protect the capsicum from worms. Regular training and pruning were carried out to maintain 3–4 stems in each plant. Irrigation was provided with a low-pressure drip irrigation system (discharge rate of 2 L/h) to keep optimum soil moisture level (more than 70 %) in the beds. Vermicompost was applied at the rate of 5 g/Kg of soil and was thoroughly mixed up to a depth of 30 cm in bed. The fertilizers were applied through fertigation of NPK (19:19:19) at the rate of 2 kg per acre on weekly basis. At the initial 60 days, two weedings were carried out; however, in the later phase, weeds were not grown due to the dense canopy of capsicum plants. Imidacloprid, a systemic insecticide was applied (2 mL/L of water) three times after flowering at an interval of 15 days to control aphids and thrips.

Figure 1: Raised bed with two lines of capsicum grown at a spacing of 45 cm × 45 cm.



[Click here to view]

2.3. Observations Recorded

2.3.1. Plant growth parameters

The plant height (cm) and number of leaves per plant were taken on each plant of a plot at 45, 60, and 75 days after transplanting. The average value was estimated after dividing the sum of plant heights or leaf counts by the number of plants taken under observation.

2.3.2. Flowering and fruiting

The number of flowers and fruits was counted on each plant of a replicated plot at 45, 60, and 75 days after transplanting and the average was estimated after dividing the counted value by the number of plants taken under observation.

2.3.3. Yield and related parameters

Harvesting of fruits was done through manual picking at the frequency of 5–6 days till the plants reached senescence. The frequency of harvesting where at least one fruit was harvested from the plant was taken as the number of pickings. The total fruit weight of harvested fruits from all plants of a plot was divided by the number of plants in each plot to obtain the average yield of fruits in grams per plant. Further, the yield (in quintals) per hectare was estimated using the number of plants per hectare of polyhouse area and yield per plant.

2.4. Statistical Analysis

All the data related to different parameters taken, or estimated by various means, were tabulated and average values were represented as replication. The replicated data were subjected to statistical analysis for two-way analysis of variance using OPSTAT software to understand the efficacy of various factors and their interaction, to validate the null hypothesis, and to estimate the contribution of various independent variables toward the dependent variable.


3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Plant Growth Parameters

3.1.1. Average plant height

The application of nano-Zn at 1000 ppm has significantly improved the height of capsicum plants followed by nano-Mg at 1000 ppm [Table 1] which might be associated with the role of Zn in the synthesis of plant growth promoters such as auxins, its participation as a co-factor in the synthesis of various enzymes, and the formation of amino acids such as tryptophan accounting for the better growth of capsicum plant [12]. Further, the application of nano-Mg might have played a significant role in the synthesis of chlorophyll which could be responsible for enhanced photosynthesis and accumulation of photosynthates to improve biomass production [13]. In addition, the nano-Mg had also been reported for increased synthesis of secondary metabolites which could be accountable for systemic stimulation against plant pathogenic microbes ensuring better plant growth [14].

Table 1: Plants height (cm) of capsicum after application of minerals and nanomaterials.

Average plant height at 45 days after transplanting

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N130.72b33.13a28.61b30.82A
N230.62b29.90b25.16c28.56B
N328.19c31.63a28.90b29.57A
Mean M29.84B31.56A27.56C
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)1.3550.6340.4480.0092**
Factor (M)1.3550.6340.4480.00012**
Factor (N×M)2.3481.0980.7760.01526*
Average plant height at 60 days after transplanting

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N140.02a41.85a37.63b39.83A
N239.46b38.63b35.33c37.81B
N337.20b40.69a38.27b38.72A
Mean M38.89B40.39A37.08C
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)1.3580.6350.4490.01929*
Factor (M)1.3580.6350.4490.00035**
Factor (N×M)2.3521.10.7780.03248*
Plant height at 75 days after transplanting

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N143.39a44.53a41.31b43.08A
N242.33b41.97b36.93c40.41C
N340.71b43.90a41.59b42.07B
Mean M42.14B43.46A39.94C
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)0.9810.4590.3240.00011**
Factor (M)0.9810.4590.3240.00001**
Factor (N×M)1.6990.7950.5620.001**

N: Nanomaterial, N1: Nano-Zn, N2: Nano-Fe, N3: Nano-Mg; M: Mineral nutrients, M1: CaCl2, M2: Sulfur, M3: Molybdenum each at 1000 ppm,

* level of significance is 0.05,

** level of significance is 0.01

The application of S at 1000 ppm resulted in the highest plant height which was at par with the application of CaCl2 at 1000 ppm [Table 1]. Further, the significant interaction of these mineral nutrients with nanomaterials at 60 and 75 days after transplanting could be associated with the tolerance of plants against toxicity of heavy metals attributed to the enhanced biosynthesis of glutathione and phytochelatins in roots [15]. Although calcium does not have a direct role in the synthesis of biomolecules, it is essential for the integrity of cell walls so has given a significant response when combined with nano-Zn [16]. The present findings can be validated by the recommendations of [17], [18], Fazelian and Yousefzadi [19], [20].

3.1.2. Average number of leaves per plant

In contrast, the application of nano-Mg at 1000 ppm followed by nano-Fe at 1000 ppm resulted in the highest number of leaves [Table 2] in capsicum plants while the response of nano-Zn in the number of leaves was reported to be the least which could be due to its utilization for axial growth (plant height). The application of nano-Mg might have significantly improved the synthesis of chlorophyll which could be associated with the proliferation of leaves primordia [21]. This could be further justified based on the necessity of Mg for the synthesis of major enzymes which present in the chloroplast including RUBISCO (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, or oxygenase), ATP synthetase, or enzymes of photosystems [22]. Equally, iron has the ability to increase photosynthetic pigments and indole acetic acid (IAA) in plants resulting in increased peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and nitrate reductase activities [23]. Further, uptake and utilization of iron are improved when it is applied in form of nano-Fe which could have promoted uptake and utilization of CO2 and other photosynthetic inputs in plants resulting in enhanced photosynthetic activities and accumulation of carbohydrates necessary for plant growth [24].

Table 2: Average number of leaves of capsicum after application of minerals and nanomaterials.

Average number of leaves at 45 days after transplanting

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N123.33d26.17d25.08d24.86C
N230.08c36.92b28.83c31.94B
N334.08b40.83a27.42c34.11A
Mean M29.17B34.64A27.11C
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)1.9550.9140.6470.000001**
Factor (M)1.9550.9140.6470.000002**
Factor (N×M)3.3861.5841.120.00085**
Average number of leaves at 60 days after transplanting

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N125.33e28.58d27.42d27.11C
N233.33c37.67b31.25c34.08B
N336.08b41.83a30.17d36.03A
Mean M31.58B36.03A29.61B
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)1.80.8420.5950.000015**
Factor (M)1.80.8420.5950.000001**
Factor (N×M)3.1181.4581.0310.00177**
Average number of leaves at 75 days after transplanting

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N124.42d27.00d25.75d25.72B
N230.33c34.25b29.00c31.19A
N333.33b37.67a27.58c32.86A
Mean M29.36B32.97A27.44C
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)1.9010.8890.6290.000003**
Factor (M)1.9010.8890.6290.00005**
Factor (N×M)3.2931.541.0890.01095*

N: Nanomaterial, N1: Nano-Zn, N2: Nano-Fe, N3: Nano-Mg; M: Mineral nutrients, M1: CaCl2, M2: Sulfur, M3: Molybdenum each at 1000 ppm,

* level of significance is 0.05,

** level of significance is 0.01

Further, the application of S at 1000 ppm has resulted in the highest number of leaves when applied in combination with nanomaterials as N3M2 (nano-Mg and S at 1000 ppm each) followed by N2M2 (nano-Fe and S at 1000 ppm each) [Table 2]. The interaction of nanomaterials with sulfur might have enhanced the synthesis of sulfur-containing aminoacids, resulting synthesis of protein which is essential for increasing the number of leaves [15]. The present experimental outcomes can be confirmed by the research outcomes of Haleema et al. [17], Schmidt et al. [25], and Shah et al. [26].

3.2. Flowering and Fruiting

The response of nanomaterials application on the average number of flowers and fruits per plant was not significant while a significant influence of mineral nutrients was reported on the flowering and fruiting of capsicum with the highest after application of CaCl2 at 1000 ppm followed by S at 1000 ppm [Tables 3 and 4]. The interaction of sulfur and calcium with nanomaterials was substantial where N1M1 (nano-Zn and CaCl2 at 1000 ppm each), N3M1 (nano-Mg and CaCl2 at 1000 ppm each), and N2M1 (nano-Fe and CaCl2 at 1000 ppm each) were at par with each other. The influence of nanomaterials (zinc, magnesium, and iron) might be associated with the improvement in the uptake of nutrients by the plants resulting in the improvement of plant metabolism including regulation of genes [27,28] as these are essential elements for many enzymatic reactions and optimization of amino acid-mediated cellular metabolism in plants. However, the effect of zinc on flowering attributes was more prominent when it was applied in combination with the macronutrient like calcium where zinc might have maintained the hormonal and nutritional balance within the plants to induce early growth and flowering [29,30]. Further, the sulfur application could be associated with the protein-mediated transformation of vegetative primordia into the reproductive primordia as sulfur and sulfur-containing molecules act as signaling material during various metabolic and physiological processes [31]. The present experimental outcomes can be confirmed by the findings of [32], [33], and [34].

Table 3: Average flower count of capsicum after application of minerals and nanomaterials.

Average number of flowers at 45 days after transplanting

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N17.083a5.833d4.333h5.750
N26.500c5.247e5.000f5.582
N36.833b5.500e4.667g5.667
Mean M6.806A5.527B4.667C
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)NS0.0640.0450.05624
Factor (M)0.1360.0640.0450.000015**
Factor (N×M)0.2360.110.0780.000001**
Average number of flowers at 60 days after transplanting

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N15.500a4.667b3.250e4.472
N25.000b4.250c4.000d4.417
N35.500a4.500c3.583e4.528
Mean M5.333A4.472A3.611B
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)NS0.090.0640.48298
Factor (M)0.1920.090.0640.000001**
Factor (N×M)0.3330.1560.110.00021**
Average number of flowers at 75 days after transplanting

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N12.78a1.92c1.00g1.90A
N22.00b1.60d1.33e1.64B
N32.23b1.68c1.25f1.72C
Mean M2.34A1.73B1.19C
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)0.1590.0740.0530.01022**
Factor (M)0.1590.0740.0530.000011**
Factor (N×M)0.2760.1290.0910.00029**

N: Nanomaterial, N1: Nano-Zn, N2: Nano-Fe, N3: Nano-Mg; M: Mineral nutrients, M1: CaCl2, M2: Sulfur, M3: Molybdenum each at 1000 ppm, *level of significance is 0.05,

** level of significance is 0.01

Table 4: Average fruits count of capsicum after application of minerals and nanomaterials.

Average number of fruits at 45 days after transplanting

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N14.283.772.873.64
N24.123.423.273.60
N34.123.583.033.58
Mean M4.17A3.59B3.06C
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)NS0.1060.0750.84481
Factor (M)0.2260.1060.0750.000021**
Factor (N×M)NS0.1830.1290.10251
Average number of fruits at 60 days after transplanting

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N13.58a3.17b2.33e3.03
N23.33b2.83c2.75d2.97
N33.50a3.00c2.67d3.06
Mean M3.472A3.0B2.583C
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)NS0.0570.040.35056
Factor (M)0.1210.0570.040.00004**
Factor (N×M)0.210.0980.0690.00051**
Average number of fruits at 75 days after transplanting

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N13.917a3.333c2.5e3.25
N23.417b3.083c2.917d3.139
N33.75a3.083c2.667d3.167
Mean M3.694A3.167B2.694C
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)NS0.0840.0590.40917
Factor (M)0.180.0840.0590.00001**
Factor (N×M)0.3110.1460.1030.00501**

N: Nanomaterial, N1: Nano-Zn, N2: Nano-Fe, N3: Nano-Mg; M: Mineral nutrients, M1: CaCl2, M2: Sulfur, M3: Molybdenum each at 1000 ppm, *level of significance is 0.05,

** level of significance is 0.01

3.3. Yield and Related Attributes

The average yield was significantly influenced by the application of mineral nutrients with the highest yield (2403.93 g/plant and 671.81 q/ha) after the application of CaCl2 at 1000 ppm followed by S at 1000 ppm (1765.61 g/plant and 522.62 q/ha) [Table 5]. The interaction of calcium and sulfur with nanomaterials was also significant and the highest yield (2403.93 g/plant and 711.56 q/ha) was estimated after the application of N1M1 (nano-Zn and CaCl2 at 1000 ppm each) followed by N3M1 (nano-Mg and CaCl2 at 1000 ppm each) (2305.94 g/plant and 682.55 q/ha. The improvement in yield after the combined application of these nanomaterials in the presence of calcium is mainly attributed to the positive Ca-Zn or Ca-Fe or Ca-Mg interaction. Calcium is well known for its physiological roles as an intracellular messenger and for maintaining the ionic balance which counteracts the toxic effects of other nutrients ensuring the improvement in productivity [35,36]. Calcium is also attributed to enhancing the uptake of phosphorus which corresponds to a decrease in nitrate accumulation resulting in improvement in fruiting, yield, and quality in solanaceous crops [37]. Moreover, Buczkowska et al. [38] found an increment of 2.8–8.6% in total fruit yield while 12.1–21.8% in the marketable yield of pepper plants under foliar application of Ca+2. In addition to Ca, sulfur had also a wide array of functions including as a structural component of biomolecules that can regulate a few physiological processes and induce tolerance against abiotic stress which might be involved in the augmentation of crop productivity [39], [40] also reported the maximum fruit size, fruit count, fruit weight, and fruit yield in greenhouse-grown tomatoes after treatment with nano-Fe at a dosage of 100 mg/kg. Thus, the use of nanomaterials as a source of nutrients has greater scope for improvement in nutrient use efficiency, prevention of nutrient leaching, and restoration of the fertility of the soil which is essential for enhancing crop yield [41].

Table 5: Average yield of capsicum after application of minerals and nanomaterials.

Average yield of fruits (g per plant)

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N12,403.93a1,986.35b1,236.03d1,875.44
N22,098.72b1,645.04c1,531.65c1,758.47
N32,305.94a1,665.44c1,352.78c1,774.72
Mean M2,269.53A1,765.61B1,373.49C
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)NS77.24354.6190.28834
Factor (M)165.15877.24354.6190.000021**
Factor (N×M)286.063133.78994.6030.02007*
Average yield of the fruits (quintal per hectare) in capsicum

TreatmentsM1M2M3Mean N
N1711.56a587.96b365.86d555.13
N2621.22b486.93c453.37c520.507
N3682.55a492.97c400.42d525.316
Mean M671.781A522.62B406.551C
FactorsC.D.SE (d)SE (m)P value
Factor (N)NS22.86416.1670.28825
Factor (M)48.88622.86416.1670.00001**
Factor (N×M)84.67439.60128.0020.02007*

N: Nanomaterial, N1: Nano-Zn, N2: Nano-Fe, N3: Nano-Mg; M: Mineral nutrients, M1: CaCl2, M2: Sulfur, M3: Molybdenum each at 1000 ppm,

* level of significance is 0.05,

** level of significance is 0.01


4. CONCLUSIONS

Based on the present investigation, it can be interpreted that the application of nano-Mg and/or nano-Zn at 1000 ppm is significant for improving the productivity of capsicum under polyhouse. Further, the application of CaCl2 at 1000 ppm in combination with nano-Zn (2403.93 g/plant and 711.56 q/ha) and nano-Mg (2305.94 g/plant and 682.55 q/ha) is the effective approach for improvement in productivity of capsicum grown under NVP.


5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank the ITM University, Gwalior, MP, for providing the required resources during the conduct of this work.


6. AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTION

All authors made significant contributions to the design of the research work, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation. They have also contributed to the draft of the present manuscript and have revised it critically to improve the concept. All are in agreement for submission of this manuscript to the current journal, have approved this for publication, and bear accountability for all aspects of this work. All the authors are eligible to be an author as per the international committee of medical journal editors (ICMJE) requirements/guidelines.


7. FUNDING

There is no funding to report.


8. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors report no financial or any other conflicts of interest in this work.


9. ETHICAL APPROVALS

This study does not involve experiments on animals or human subjects.


10. DATA AVAILABILITY

The data are available with the first and corresponding author as it is from the dissertation work of the first author. This has been incorporated in the dissertation report submitted to the university where work was done and has been presented in the current manuscript.


11. PUBLISHER’S NOTE

This journal remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published institutional affiliation.

REFERENCES

1.  Cole JC, Smith MW, Penn CJ, Cheary BS, Conaghan KJ. Nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium applied individually or as a slow release or controlled release fertilizer increase growth and yield and affect macronutrient and micronutrient concentration and content of field-grown tomato plants. Sci Hortic 2016;211:420-30. [CrossRef]

2.  Hasanuzzaman M, Hossain MS, Bhuyan MB, Al Mahmud J, Nahar K, Fujita M. The role of sulfur in plant abiotic stress tolerance:Molecular interactions and defense mechanisms. In:Oku H, Hawrylak-Nowak B, editors. Plant Nutrients and Abiotic Stress Tolerance. Singapore:Springer;2018. 221-52. [CrossRef]

3.  García-López JI, Niño-Medina G, Olivares-Sáenz E, Lira-Saldivar RH, Barriga-Castro ED, Vázquez-Alvarado R, et al. Foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles and zinc sulfate boosts the content of bioactive compounds in habanero peppers. Plants 2019;8:254. [CrossRef]

4.  Yadav SA, Suvathika G, Alghuthaymi MA, Abd-Elsalam KA. Fungal-derived nanoparticles for the control of plant pathogens and pests. In:Fungal Cell Factories for Sustainable Nanomaterials Productions and Agricultural Applications. Vol. 1. Netherlands:Elsevier;2023. 755-84. [CrossRef]

5.  Alghuthaymi MA, Kalia A, Bhardwaj K, Bhardwaj P, Abd-Elsalam KA, Valis M, et al. Nanohybrid antifungals for control of plant diseases:Current status and future perspectives. J Fungi 2021;7:48. [CrossRef]

6.  Periakaruppan R, Palanimuthu V, Abed SA, Danaraj J. New perception about the use of nanofungicides in sustainable agriculture practices. Arch Microbiol 2023;205:4. [CrossRef]

7.  Mansoor S, Zahoor I, Baba TR, Padder SA, Bhat ZA, Koul AM, et al. Fabrication of silver nanoparticles against fungal pathogens. Front Nanotechnol 2021;3:679358. [CrossRef]

8.  Cai L, Chen J, Liu Z, Wang H, Yang H, Ding W. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles:Effective agricultural antibacterial agent against Ralstonia solanacearum. Front Microbiol 2018;9:790. [CrossRef]

9.  Adjei MO, Zhou X, Mao M, Xue Y, Liu J, Hu H, et al. Magnesium oxide nanoparticle effect on the growth, development, and microRNAs expression of Ananas comosus var. Bracteatus. J Plant Interact 2021;16:247-57. [CrossRef]

10.  Kornarzy?ski K, Sujak A, Czernel G, Wi?cek D. Effect of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on germination of seeds and concentration of elements in Helianthus annuus L. under constant magnetic field. Sci Rep 2020;10:8068. [CrossRef]

11.  Yuan J, Chen Y, Li H, Lu J, Zhao H, Liu M, et al. New insights into the cellular responses to iron nanoparticles in Capsicum annuum. Sci Rep 2018;8:3228. [CrossRef]

12.  Hara R, Hirai K, Suzuki S, Kino K. A chemoenzymatic process for amide bond formation by an adenylating enzyme-mediated mechanism. Sci Rep 2018;8:2950. [CrossRef]

13.  Salcido-Martinez A, Sanchez E, Licon-Trillo LP, Perez-Alvarez S, Palacio-Marquez A, Amaya-Olivas NI, et al. Impact of the foliar application of magnesium nanofertilizer on physiological and biochemical parameters and yield in green beans. Not Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj Napoca 2020;48:2167-81. [CrossRef]

14.  Salas-Leiva JS, Luna-Velasco A, Salas-Leiva DE. Use of magnesium nanomaterials in plants and crop pathogens. J Nanopart Res 2021;23:267. [CrossRef]

15.  Zandi P, Yang J, Xia X, Barabasz-Krasny B, Mo?d?e?K, Pu?a J, et al. Sulphur nutrition and iron plaque formation on roots of rice seedlings and their consequences for immobilisation and uptake of chromium in solution culture. Plant Soil 2021;462:365-88. [CrossRef]

16.  Cronmiller E, Toor D, Shao NC, Kariyawasam T, Wang MH, Lee JH. Cell wall integrity signaling regulates cell wall-related gene expression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Sci Rep 2019;9:12204. [CrossRef]

17.  Haleema B, Rab A, Hussain SA. Effect of calcium, boron and zinc foliar application on growth and fruit production of tomato. Sarhad J Agric 2018;34:19-30. [CrossRef]

18.  Turhan A, Ku?çu H, Özmen N. Response of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to foliar applications of zinc. Commun Soil Sci Plant Analysis 2021;52:1256-63. [CrossRef]

19.  Fazelian N, Yousefzadi M. Nano-biofertilizers for enhanced nutrient use efficiency. In:Nano-enabled Agrochemicals in Agriculture. United States:Academic Press;2022. 145-58. [CrossRef]

20.  Salim BB, El-Gawad A, Gamal H, El-Yazied A, Hikal M. Effect of calcium and boron on growth, fruit setting and yield of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Egypt J Hortic 2019;46:53-62. [CrossRef]

21.  Tränkner M, Jaghdani SJ. Minimum magnesium concentrations for photosynthetic efficiency in wheat and sunflower seedlings. Plant Physiol Biochem 2019;144:234-43. [CrossRef]

22.  Jaghdani SJ, Jahns P, Tränkner M. The impact of magnesium deficiency on photosynthesis and photoprotection in Spinacia oleracea. Plant Stress 2021;2:100040. [CrossRef]

23.  Tawfik MM, Mohamed MH, Sadak MS, Thalooth AT. Iron oxide nanoparticles effect on growth, physiological traits and nutritional contents of Moringa oleifera grown in saline environment. Bull Natl Res Cent 2021;45:177. [CrossRef]

24.  Yoon H, Kang YG, Chang YS, Kim JH. Effects of zerovalent iron nanoparticles on photosynthesis and biochemical adaptation of soil-grown Arabidopsis thaliana. Nanomaterials 2019;9:1543. [CrossRef]

25.  Schmidt W, Thomine S, Buckhout TJ. Iron nutrition and interactions in plants. Front Plant Sci 2020;10:1670. [CrossRef]

26.  Shah SH, Islam S, Mohammad F. Sulphur as a dynamic mineral element for plants:A review. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 2022;22:2118-43. [CrossRef]

27.  Rehman A, Farooq M, Ozturk L, Asif M, Siddique KH. Zinc nutrition in wheat-based cropping systems. Plant Soil 2018;422:283-315. [CrossRef]

28.  Yeboah S, Asibuo J, Oteng-Darko P, Adjei EA, Lamptey M, Danquah EO, et al. Impact of foliar application of zinc and magnesium aminochelate on bean physiology and productivity in Ghana. Int J Agron 2021;2021:9766709. [CrossRef]

29.  Salman M, Ullah S, Razzaq K, Rajwana IA, Akhtar G, Faried HN, et al. Combined foliar application of calcium, zinc, boron and time influence leaf nutrient status, vegetative growth, fruit yield, fruit biochemical and anti-oxidative attributes of “Chandler“strawberry. J Plant Nutr 2022;45:1837-48. [CrossRef]

30.  Sultana MN, Maliha M, Husna MA, Raisa I, Uddin AF. Differential responses of Boron, Calcium and Zinc on growth and flowering of Lisianthus. Asian J Crop Soil Sci Plant Nutr 2022;7:272-80.

31.  Narayan OP, Kumar P, Yadav B, Dua M, Johri AK. Sulfur nutrition and its role in plant growth and development. Plant Signal Behav 2022;2030082. Doi:10.1080/15592324.2022.2030082 [CrossRef]

32.  Abdulazeez AI, Al-Hashemi FH, Ibrahem BY. Effect of foliar application of nano-iron and potassium on two cultivars of (Freesia x hybrida). Plant Cell Biotechnol Mol Biol 2020;21:114-21.

33.  Fakharzadeh S, Hafizi M, Baghaei MA, Etesami M, Khayamzadeh M, Kalanaky S, et al. Using nanochelating technology for biofortification and yield increase in rice. Sci Rep 2020;10:4351. [CrossRef]

34.  AL-Zuhairi OG, AL-Mahdawi MM, Hammadi MA. Study the effect of addition nano zinc oxide on the vegetative, flowering and fruiting characteristics of growing capsicum frutescens plant in closed hydroponics system. Diyala Agric Sci J 2020;12:599-609. [CrossRef]

35.  Alikhani TT, Tabatabaei SJ, Torkashvand AM, Khalighi A, Talei D. Effects of silica nanoparticles and calcium chelate on the morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L.) under hydroponic condition. J Plant Nutr 2021;44:1039-53. [CrossRef]

36.  Prakriya M. Calcium and cell function. J Physiol 2020;598:1647. [CrossRef]

37.  Gholamnejad S, Haghighi M, Etemadi N, Shariatmadari H. Fortification of tomato with Ca and its effects on the fruit quality, calcium status and nutraceutical values of tomato in different NO3:NH4 ratios. N Z J Crop Hortic Sci 2020;48:228-43. [CrossRef]

38.  Buczkowska H, Michalojc Z, Nurzynska-Wierdak R. Yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper depending on foliar application of calcium. Turk J Agric Forest 2016;40:222-8. [CrossRef]

39.  Zenda T, Liu S, Dong A, Duan H. Revisiting sulphur-the once neglected nutrient:It's roles in plant growth, metabolism, stress tolerance and crop production. Agriculture 2021;11:626. [CrossRef]

40.  El-Desouky HS, Islam KR, Bergefurd B, Gao G, Harker T, et al. Nano iron fertilization significantly increases tomato yield by increasing plants'vegetable growth and photosynthetic efficiency. J Plant Nutr 2021;44:1649-63. [CrossRef]

41.  Mandal D, Lalrinchhani. Nanofertilizer and its application in horticulture. J Appl Hortic 2020;23:70-7. [CrossRef]

Reference

1. Cole JC, Smith MW, Penn CJ, Cheary BS, Conaghan KJ. Nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium applied individually or as a slow release or controlled release fertilizer increase growth and yield and affect macronutrient and micronutrient concentration and content of field-grown tomato plants. Sci Hortic 2016;211:420-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.09.028

2. Hasanuzzaman M, Hossain MS, Bhuyan MB, Al Mahmud J, Nahar K, Fujita M. The role of sulfur in plant abiotic stress tolerance: Molecular interactions and defense mechanisms. In: Oku H, Hawrylak-Nowak B, editors. Plant Nutrients and Abiotic Stress Tolerance. Singapore: Springer; 2018. p. 221-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-9044-8_10

3. García-López JI, Niño-Medina G, Olivares-Sáenz E, Lira-Saldivar RH, Barriga-Castro ED, Vázquez-Alvarado R, et al. Foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles and zinc sulfate boosts the content of bioactive compounds in habanero peppers. Plants 2019;8:254. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8080254

4. Yadav SA, Suvathika G, Alghuthaymi MA, Abd-Elsalam KA. Fungal-derived nanoparticles for the control of plant pathogens and pests. In: Fungal Cell Factories for Sustainable Nanomaterials Productions and Agricultural Applications. Vol. 1. Netherlands: Elsevier; 2023. p. 755-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-99922-9.00009-X

5. Alghuthaymi MA, Kalia A, Bhardwaj K, Bhardwaj P, Abd-Elsalam KA, Valis M, et al. Nanohybrid antifungals for control of plant diseases: Current status and future perspectives. J Fungi 2021;7:48. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7010048

6. Periakaruppan R, Palanimuthu V, Abed SA, Danaraj J. New perception about the use of nanofungicides in sustainable agriculture practices. Arch Microbiol 2023;205:4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-022-03324-8

7. Mansoor S, Zahoor I, Baba TR, Padder SA, Bhat ZA, Koul AM, et al. Fabrication of silver nanoparticles against fungal pathogens. Front Nanotechnol 2021;3:679358. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnano.2021.679358

8. Cai L, Chen J, Liu Z, Wang H, Yang H, Ding W. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles: Effective agricultural antibacterial agent against Ralstonia solanacearum. Front Microbiol 2018;9:790. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.00790

9. Adjei MO, Zhou X, Mao M, Xue Y, Liu J, Hu H, et al. Magnesium oxide nanoparticle effect on the growth, development, and microRNAs expression of Ananas comosus var. Bracteatus. J Plant Interact 2021;16:247-57. https://doi.org/10.1080/17429145.2021.1931720

10. Kornarzy?ski K, Sujak A, Czernel G, Wi?cek D. Effect of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on germination of seeds and concentration of elements in Helianthus annuus L. under constant magnetic field. Sci Rep 2020;10:8068. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-64849-w

11. Yuan J, Chen Y, Li H, Lu J, Zhao H, Liu M, et al. New insights into the cellular responses to iron nanoparticles in Capsicum annuum. Sci Rep 2018;8:3228. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-18055-w

12. Hara R, Hirai K, Suzuki S, Kino K. A chemoenzymatic process for amide bond formation by an adenylating enzyme-mediated mechanism. Sci Rep 2018;8:2950. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-21408-8

13. Salcido-Martinez A, Sanchez E, Licon-Trillo LP, Perez-Alvarez S, Palacio-Marquez A, Amaya-Olivas NI, et al. Impact of the foliar application of magnesium nanofertilizer on physiological and biochemical parameters and yield in green beans. Not Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj Napoca 2020;48:2167-81. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha48412090

14. Salas-Leiva JS, Luna-Velasco A, Salas-Leiva DE. Use of magnesium nanomaterials in plants and crop pathogens. J Nanopart Res 2021;23:267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-021-05337-8

15. Zandi P, Yang J, Xia X, Barabasz-Krasny B, Mo?d?e? K, Pu?a J, et al. Sulphur nutrition and iron plaque formation on roots of rice seedlings and their consequences for immobilisation and uptake of chromium in solution culture. Plant Soil 2021;462:365-88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-04870-8

16. Cronmiller E, Toor D, Shao NC, Kariyawasam T, Wang MH, Lee JH. Cell wall integrity signaling regulates cell wall-related gene expression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Sci Rep 2019;9:12204. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-48523-4

17. Haleema B, Rab A, Hussain SA. Effect of calcium, boron and zinc foliar application on growth and fruit production of tomato. Sarhad J Agric 2018;34:19-30. https://doi.org/10.17582/journal.sja/2018/34.1.19.30

18. Turhan A, Ku?çu H, Özmen N. Response of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to foliar applications of zinc. Commun Soil Sci Plant Analysis 2021;52:1256-63. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2021.1879123

19. Fazelian N, Yousefzadi M. Nano-biofertilizers for enhanced nutrient use efficiency. In: Nano-enabled Agrochemicals in Agriculture. United States: Academic Press; 2022. p. 145-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91009-5.00023-9

20. Salim BB, El-Gawad A, Gamal H, El-Yazied A, Hikal M. Effect of calcium and boron on growth, fruit setting and yield of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Egypt J Hortic 2019;46:53-62. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejoh.2019.6279.1087

21. Tränkner M, Jaghdani SJ. Minimum magnesium concentrations for photosynthetic efficiency in wheat and sunflower seedlings. Plant Physiol Biochem 2019;144:234-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.09.040

22. Jaghdani SJ, Jahns P, Tränkner M. The impact of magnesium deficiency on photosynthesis and photoprotection in Spinacia oleracea. Plant Stress 2021;2:100040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stress.2021.100040

23. Tawfik MM, Mohamed MH, Sadak MS, Thalooth AT. Iron oxide nanoparticles effect on growth, physiological traits and nutritional contents of Moringa oleifera grown in saline environment. Bull Natl Res Cent 2021;45:177. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-021-00624-9

24. Yoon H, Kang YG, Chang YS, Kim JH. Effects of zerovalent iron nanoparticles on photosynthesis and biochemical adaptation of soil-grown Arabidopsis thaliana. Nanomaterials 2019;9:1543. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9111543

25. Schmidt W, Thomine S, Buckhout TJ. Iron nutrition and interactions in plants. Front Plant Sci 2020;10:1670. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.01670

26. Shah SH, Islam S, Mohammad F. Sulphur as a dynamic mineral element for plants: A review. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 2022;22:2118-43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-022-00798-9

27. Rehman A, Farooq M, Ozturk L, Asif M, Siddique KH. Zinc nutrition in wheat-based cropping systems. Plant Soil 2018;422:283-315. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3507-3

28. Yeboah S, Asibuo J, Oteng-Darko P, Adjei EA, Lamptey M, Danquah EO, et al. Impact of foliar application of zinc and magnesium aminochelate on bean physiology and productivity in Ghana. Int J Agron 2021;2021:9766709. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9766709

29. Salman M, Ullah S, Razzaq K, Rajwana IA, Akhtar G, Faried HN, et al. Combined foliar application of calcium, zinc, boron and time influence leaf nutrient status, vegetative growth, fruit yield, fruit biochemical and anti-oxidative attributes of "Chandler" strawberry. J Plant Nutr 2022;45:1837-48. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2022.2035759

30. Sultana MN, Maliha M, Husna MA, Raisa I, Uddin AF. Differential responses of Boron, Calcium and Zinc on growth and flowering of Lisianthus. Asian J Crop Soil Sci Plant Nutr 2022;7:272-80.

31. Narayan OP, Kumar P, Yadav B, Dua M, Johri AK. Sulfur nutrition and its role in plant growth and development. Plant Signal Behav 2022;2030082. Doi: 10.1080/15592324.2022.2030082 https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2022.2030082

32. Abdulazeez AI, Al-Hashemi FH, Ibrahem BY. Effect of foliar application of nano-iron and potassium on two cultivars of (Freesia x hybrida). Plant Cell Biotechnol Mol Biol 2020;21:114-21.

33. Fakharzadeh S, Hafizi M, Baghaei MA, Etesami M, Khayamzadeh M, Kalanaky S, et al. Using nanochelating technology for biofortification and yield increase in rice. Sci Rep 2020;10:4351. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-60189-x

34. AL-Zuhairi OG, AL-Mahdawi MM, Hammadi MA. Study the effect of addition nano zinc oxide on the vegetative, flowering and fruiting characteristics of growing capsicum frutescens plant in closed hydroponics system. Diyala Agric Sci J 2020;12:599-609. https://doi.org/10.52951/dasj.20121050

35. Alikhani TT, Tabatabaei SJ, Torkashvand AM, Khalighi A, Talei D. Effects of silica nanoparticles and calcium chelate on the morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L.) under hydroponic condition. J Plant Nutr 2021;44:1039-53. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2020.1867578

36. Prakriya M. Calcium and cell function. J Physiol 2020;598:1647. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP279541

37. Gholamnejad S, Haghighi M, Etemadi N, Shariatmadari H. Fortification of tomato with Ca and its effects on the fruit quality, calcium status and nutraceutical values of tomato in different NO3: NH4 ratios. N Z J Crop Hortic Sci 2020;48:228-43. https://doi.org/10.1080/01140671.2020.1775098

38. Buczkowska H, Michalojc Z, Nurzynska-Wierdak R. Yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper depending on foliar application of calcium. Turk J Agric Forest 2016;40:222-8. https://doi.org/10.3906/tar-1501-56

39. Zenda T, Liu S, Dong A, Duan H. Revisiting sulphur-the once neglected nutrient: It's roles in plant growth, metabolism, stress tolerance and crop production. Agriculture 2021;11:626. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11070626

40. El-Desouky HS, Islam KR, Bergefurd B, Gao G, Harker T, et al. Nano iron fertilization significantly increases tomato yield by increasing plants' vegetable growth and photosynthetic efficiency. J Plant Nutr 2021;44:1649-63. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2021.1871749

41. Mandal D, Lalrinchhani. Nanofertilizer and its application in horticulture. J Appl Hortic 2020;23:70-7. https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2021.v23i01.14

Article Metrics
83 Views 78 Downloads 161 Total

Year

Month

Related Search

By author names