Impact of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles on growth parameters of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.)

Agricultural productivity remains a fundamental concern for farmers and agricultural scientists. Today, global food security is increasingly threatened by environmental challenges and a rapidly growing population. Environmental stressors, such as salinity, drought, heavy metals, ozone, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides have increased crop yield losses. Various agricultural management practices and techniques are being employed to reduce yield loss and minimize environmental impact on plants. Among these, the application of nanoparticles, such as nanofertilizers, nanoinsecticides, nanofungicides, and nanosensors, has emerged as a promising approach for achieving agricultural sustainability, particularly in pest and soil nutrient management. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the chickpeas cultivar. Two sets of experiments were conducted: seed germination (Petri dishes) and a field experiment analyzing various physiological, morphological, and biomass parameters. In the seed germination experiment, TiO2 nanoparticles were more effective than ZnO nanoparticles, achieving a 100% germination rate at 48 h. Furthermore, in the field experiment, the biomass of the selected cultivar was higher at a 50 parts/million (ppm) nanoparticle concentration compared to 25 ppm. Conclusively, the application of both nanoparticles showed a positive impact on seed germination and plant growth. The nanoparticles hold significant potential for future agricultural applications, offering innovative solutions for agricultural yield and environmental sustainability by enhancing nutrient delivery, soil health, and pest control. Therefore, this study will be helpful for farmers and scientists seeking to harness the potential of nanomaterials for sustainable agricultural production.

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