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Nanofertilizer application is becoming a sustainable alternative for plants micronutrients supply. Seed nutrient priming before seeding reduces non-target dispersion; although, applying nanofertilizer in correct concentration must be narrowly chosen to prevent germination and development issues. Here, we evaluated corn seedlings development and germination after seed priming with Mn3O4 nanoparticle (NP), Mn3O4 bulk and MnCl2. Sterile seeds were soaked for 8 hours in priming solutions of 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg L−1 for each Mn sources. The seeds vigor and germination were evaluated after 7 days on germination paper. Root, shoot and total lengths were measured as well as root, shoot and total dry biomass. Compared to the control, the Mn3O4 NP and Mn3O4 bulk promoted beneficial effects. Mn3O4 NP seed-priming exhibited a concentration dependent profile in improving seedling growth, with greatest benefit around 20 mg L−1, providing higher germination, vigor, dry biomass and length than control and the other source tested. Particle size plays an important role in the reactivity of Mn3O4 NP. On the other hand, seeds primed with soluble source did not differ from the control. These findings support NP-seed priming as an alternative to delivery micronutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticle (NP) use is becoming important alternative in different branches of science such as in agriculture, used as new source of fertiliser. In this study, it was tested iron (Fe) NP, applied as corn seed priming. In order to evaluate the early growth and development of the corn seedling a factorial experiment (5 × 3) was performed in a complete random way design with 4 replications. One of the factors were concentrations of (0, 20, 40, 80, 160 mg L−1) related to iron inside and the factor with three levels were sources (Fe3O4 NP, Fe3O4 bulk and FeCl3). 50 sterile seeds were the plot composition, which were soaked in the different Fe concentration solution containing a total volume of 200 mL for 8 h. Germination and biometric development were evaluated. Fe NPs promoted beneficial responses for seedling growth compared to other Fe sources tested here. It was realised that Fe3O4 NP concentration beneficial effects was lower compared to the other tested sources. Particle size had an important assignment in the bioavailability. The plant response reached in this research indicated iron NPs can consist efficiency for corn seed priming when applied between 50 and 70 mg L−1 concentration based on interpolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofertilizers are increasingly explored for sustainable micronutrient delivery in agriculture. Pre-treating seeds with nanofertilizers prior to planting (i.e., seed priming) reduces concerns about nanoparticle (NP) fertilizer non-target dispersion; however, priming formulations and concentrations must be carefully selected to avoid germination inhibition and toxicity. Here we investigate changes in corn seed germination and seedling development after seed priming with ZnO NPs, ZnO bulk and ZnCl2. To evaluate the effects sterile seeds were immersed in priming solutions of 0, 20, 40, 80, 160 mg L−1 Zn for the three Zn sources. Following an 8 h priming the seeds were evaluated for germination and vigor for 5 days on germination paper. Root and shoot lengths were measured as well as fresh and dry biomass. Compared to the control, the ZnO NP and ZnCl2 seed priming promoted beneficial effects. ZnO NP seed-priming exhibited a concentration dependent profile in improving seedling growth, with greatest benefit around 80 mg L−1, providing 17%, 25% and 12% higher values than control for germination, root length, and dry biomass production, respectively. In contrast, seeds primed with bulk ZnO did not differ from the control. These findings support NP-seed priming as an alternative to delivery of essential micronutrients, such as zinc, to corn seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]