Developing a innovative slow-release fertilizer: zinc oxide/gum acacia nanocomposite for improved zinc uptake and growth of Spinacia oleracea L Avimanu Sharma, Ritu Singh Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India In recent years, there has been growing interest in environmentally friendly methods for producing nanofertilizers, particularly in the context of sustainable agriculture. This study focuses on the eco-friendly synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using extracts from Melia azedarach L. leaves and their combination with gum acacia to create a nanocomposite known as ZnOGA. Various analytical techniques such as XRD, FTIR, FESEM, and EDX were employed to analyze the structural and morphological characteristics of ZnOGA.To evaluate the effectiveness of synthesized ZnOGA as a slow-release fertilizer, a pot experiment was conducted using Spinacia oleracea L. It was compared to a conventional commercial fertilizer, zinc sulfate monohydrate. The treatments included commercial zinc fertilizer at 10 mg/kg and ZnOGA at 3, 5, and 10 mg/kg. The results of the variance analysis showed that each treatment significantly affected zinc release and plant growth. In soil column experiments, it was observed that ZnOGA reduced zinc leaching by 52% when compared to the commercial zinc fertilizer. Moreover, plants fertilized with ZnOGA exhibited significant improvements (p<0.05) in various growth parameters such as root-shoot length, plant height, fresh and dry biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and carotenoids compared to those treated with commercial zinc fertilizer. Additionally, ZnOGA-fertilized plants displayed higher levels of protein content, free radical scavenging activity, phenolic content, total soluble sugar, proline, and zinc absorption. This study underscores the significant influence of fertilizer dosage on plant growth and productivity and suggests that ZnOGA could serve as a sustainable alternative to traditional commercial zinc fertilizers in agriculture. References 1. Abdel Latef, A. A. H., et al., 2017. The Possible Roles of Priming with ZnO Nanoparticles in Mitigation of Salinity Stress in Lupine (Lupinus termis) Plants.Journal of Plant Growth Regulation. 36, 60-70. 2. Abhaya, M., Suma, B. J. J. o. T. A., 2021. Plant regeneration of Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. through axenic seed culture and axillary bud culture. 58. 3. García-López, J. I., et al., Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Boosts Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Capsicum annuum L. during Germination. Agronomy, Vol. 8, 2018.
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