Unprecedented Synergistic Effects of Nanoscale Nutrients on Growth, Productivity of Sweet Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], and Nutrient Biofortification.

Evidence-based synergistic effects of nanoscale materials (size of <100 nm in at least one dimension) were scantly documented in agriculture at field scale. Herein, we report for the first time on effects of nanoscale zinc oxide (n-ZnO), calcium oxide (n-CaO), and magnesium oxide (n-MgO) on growth and productivity of sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. A modified sol-gel method was used to prepare nanoscale materials under study. Characterization was performed using transmission and scanning electron microscopies, X-ray diffraction, and dynamic light scattering. Average sizes (25, 53.7, and 53.5 nm) and ζ potentials (-10.9, -28.2, and -16.2 mV) of n-ZnO, n-CaO, and n-MgO were measured, respectively. The significant grain yield (17.8 and 14.2%), cane yield (7.2 and 8.0%), juice yield (10 and 12%), and higher sucrose yield (21.8 and 20.9%) were recorded with the application of nanoscale materials in the years 2014 and 2015, respectively. Nutrient uptake was significant with foliar application of nanoscale nutrients.

Size dependent effects of antifungal phytogenic silver nanoparticles on germination, growth and biochemical parameters of rice (Oryza sativa L), maize (Zea mays L) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L).

Advancement in materials synthesis largely depends up on their diverse applications and commercialisation. Antifungal effects of phytogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were evident, but the reports on the effects of the same on agricultural crops are scant. Herein, we report for the first time, size dependent effects of phytogenic AgNPs (synthesised using Stevia rebaudiana leaf extract) on the germination, growth and biochemical parameters of three important agricultural crops viz., rice (Oryza sativa L), maize (Zea mays L) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L). AgNPs with varied sizes were prepared by changing the concentration and quantity of the Stevia rebaudiana leaf extract. As prepared AgNPs were characterized using the techniques, such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, particle size and zeta potential analyser. The measured (dynamic light scattering technique) average sizes of particles are ranging from 68.5 to 116 nm. Fourier transform infrared studies confirmed the participation of alcohols, aldehydes and amides in the reduction and stabilisation of the AgNPs. Application of these AgNPs to three agricultural crop seeds (rice, maize and peanut) resulted in size dependent effects on their germination, growth and biochemical parameters such as, chlorophyll content, carotenoid and protein content. Further, antifungal activity of AgNPs also evaluated against fungi, Aspergillus niger.

Synthesis and characterisation of neem leaf extract, 2, 3-dehydrosalanol and quercetin dihydrate mediated silver nano particles for therapeutic applications.

The utility of green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in veterinary medicine is steadily increasing as they have many therapeutic applications against pathogens and arthropods of livestock. In this study, green AgNPs using neem (N-AgNPs), 2,3-dehydrosalanol (2,3-DHS-AgNPs) and quercetin dihydrate (QDH-AgNPs) were synthesised and characterised. Synthesised compounds were characterised by UV-Vis spectroscopy and the peak absorbance was recorded at 370 nm for neem extract. For N-AgNPs, 2,3-DHS-AgNPs and QDH-AgNPs, the maximum absorbance peaks were at 430, 230 and 220 nm, respectively. The FTIR analysis confirmed the synthesis of green AgNPs. The XRD pattern of N-AgNPs showed the peaks corresponding to whole spectra of 2 θ values ranging from 10-80. The relatively higher intensity of (111, 222) planes in face centred cubic crystalline structure supports the formation of synthesised AgNPs. In DLS analysis, the hydrodynamic diameter of neem leaf extract was found to be 259.8 nm, followed by 5.3, 6.7 and 261.8 nm for 2,3-DHS-AgNPs, N-AgNPs and QDH-AgNPs, respectively. Based on the transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy image analyses, confirmed the formation of N-AgNPs, 2,3-DHS-AgNPs and QDH-AgNPs. These eco-friendly phyto-AgNPs may be of use as an effective alternative to chemical control methods against the arthropods of livestock.