Synthesis and application of controlled size copper oxide nanoparticles for improving biochemical and growth parameters of maize seedling
2020
Toqeer, I. | Raza, A. | Naz, M. Y. | Ghaffar, A. | Hussain, Z. | Ghuffar, A.
Nanoparticles can enhance growth and yield of different plants due to their favorable physicochemical properties. This study investigated the effect of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles on biochemical and growth parameters of maize seedling. CuO nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method and characterized for their chemical composition, structure, surface morphology and size distribution. The size distribution was found in the range of 11–28 nm. The majority nanoparticles exhibited sizes between 20 and 26 nm. The effect of these nanoparticles on catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), sugar level, protein, and chlorophyll content of maize plants was investigated during early growth stages. A randomized block design was used to quantify the effect of CuO concentration on maize seedling. It was revealed that CuO nanoparticles have a stimulating effect on the growth of plantlets. However, high CuO concentrations induced an inhibitory effect on plant growth parameters. CAT, SOD, and POD were more influenced by 550 ppm concentration whereas sugar level, protein and chlorophyll content were more affected by 800 ppm concentration. Outcomes of present study reveal that CuO-NPs have the potential to increase growth and yield of maize, but their effect is concentration dependent. Further research is required to explore the best effective concentration of CuO-NPs and mode of applications for yield maximization of maize.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library