Accumulation of nutrient contents and biochemical changes in shallot, Allium ascalonicum grown in soil amended with CuO nanoparticle

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate plants growth, physiological, biochemical and nutrients changes in shallot grown in soil loaded with CuO nanoparticle (CuONPs).Methodology: The shallot seedlings were treated with increasing doses (25, 50, 100, 200 mg kg-1) of CuONPs; the rate of seedling growth, plant biomass, photosynthetic pigment content level, antioxidant enzyme activities and nutrient elements were estimated and compared with the control. Results: CuONPs treated plants exhibited increased shoot and root growth (123.31% and 184.47%) and biomass compared to the control. Also, the level of photosynthetic pigments namely, chlorophyll a (277.24%), chlorophyll b (301.42%) and carotenoids (104.81%) increased in the CuONPs exposed plants. The activity of antioxidative enzymes viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD, 382.77-330.29%), peroxidase (POX, 197.51-166.86%) and catalase (CAT, 234-317.35%) were found to be significantly high in 100 mg NPs treated plants compared to others. Hence, the nutrient elements in 100mg NPs treated plants were estimated and found to be higher than control. Interpretation: Results indicate that the engineered phycomolecule loaded CuONPs may possibly be used as nanofertilizer to increase crop productivity and it can be used for enhancing growth of agricultural crops in the future