Zinc sulphate or zinc nanoparticle applications to leaves of green beans

Abstract

The green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a very widely grown food crop that contributes significantly to human dietary needs in many countries due to its high content of protein. This study evaluates foliar applications of ZnSO4 versus that of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) to leaves of the green bean cv. ‘Strike’ and records the plant responses in terms of Zn uptake and concentrations of photosynthetic pigments and bioactive compounds. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in Chihuahua, Mexico, with a completely randomised experimental design with 10 replicates. The two treatments were foliar applications of either an aqueous solution of ZnSO4 or an aqueous suspension of ZnO NPs (both 150 mg · L−1). The application of ZnO NPs significantly increased concentrations of Zn2+ in the leaflets, roots, stems and pods of chlorophylls a and b (values 15.40 μg · g−1 and 11.64 μg · g−1, respectively). Sucrose concentration was also increased by Zn2+ applications, but no differences were found in total phenols (TP), total flavonoids (TFl) or antioxidant capacity (AC). In the pods and seeds, Zn2+ application left sucrose and TFl concentrations unchanged, but the TP increase was significant. The AC was affected by both zinc sources and only in the pods. The applications of ZnSO4 or ZnO NPs significantly increased the biomass accumulation (79.10 g · p−1 and 84.70 g · p−1 DW) and yield (55.64 g · p−1 and 53.80 g · p−1 FW). These results suggest that the application of ZnO NPs could represent a worthwhile biofortification strategy in the commercial production of green bean cv. ‘Strike’.

Zinc biofortification through seed nutri-priming using alternative zinc sources and concentration levels in pea and sunflower microgreens

“…However, in the present study, a decrease of these pigments was observed only with the application of ZnSO 4 at 100 and 200 ppm of Zn. Other studies on green beans ( Bautista-Diaz et al., 2021 ) and arugula ( Rugeles-Reyes et al., 2019 ) did not show an increment in chlorophyll pigments and carotenoids with the accumulation of Zn in plant tissues. An increase in chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b concentration with the use of ZnO nanoparticles compared to ZnSO 4 was also reported by Bautista-Diaz et al.…”

“…Other studies on green beans ( Bautista-Diaz et al., 2021 ) and arugula ( Rugeles-Reyes et al., 2019 ) did not show an increment in chlorophyll pigments and carotenoids with the accumulation of Zn in plant tissues. An increase in chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b concentration with the use of ZnO nanoparticles compared to ZnSO 4 was also reported by Bautista-Diaz et al. (2021) as observed in the present study; nevertheless, Bautista-Diaz et al.…”

Chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs): A versatile growth promoter in modern agricultural production

“…Nanotechnology has been demonstrated to help minimize the loss and enhanced the nutrient uptake by the plant. Due to its small size, this nanoformulation can reach deep into the soil [ 74 ]. These nutrients, growth hormones, and fertilizers are encapsulated in NPs and spray in the soil.…”

Water Use Efficiency, Spectral Phenotyping and Protein Composition of Two Chickpea Genotypes Grown in Mediterranean Environments under Different Water and Nitrogen Supply

“…Abiotic and biotic stresses can strongly affect seed production, and agronomic management can play an important role in improving yield productivity and stability [10][11][12][13]; indeed, chickpea is considered a crop adapted to semi-arid environments, with a good level of drought tolerance, and one which can be cultivated also under rainfed conditions [14]. Water availability and drought can affect chickpea crop growth rate and yield [15]; flowering and podding are, in particular, very sensitive to abiotic stress conditions and genetic improvement for heat and drought tolerance could be promising for chickpea [16,17].…”