Green Synthesis and Characterization of MgO2 NPs and its Application in Seed Germination

Abstract

Recently in the agricultural industry, use of nanoparticles has gained attention with increasing plant growth issues associated with plant pathogens, synthetic fertilizers and weeds etc. In the present work, MgO2 nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized to analyse their capability to stimulate the plant growth of peanuts. Contrary to conventional chemical methods for improved biocompatibility MgO2 NPs were fabricated using microalgae as a novel biological source. The microalgal strain Dictyosphaerium DHM 2 (LC159306) was isolated and cultured in Nanolab, ASAB, NUST. MgO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using microalgae extract and then characterized utilizing techniques like UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, AFM. The morphology of these synthesized nanoparticles was observed spherical. Biological activities including antioxidant, photocatalytic, antibacterial, antibiofilm were examined against different concentration (62-1000μg) of MgO2 nanoparticles. Antibacterial activity was examined against Agrobacterium tumefacians: a crown gall disease-causing agent for its maximum zone of inhibition. Peanut plants were taken to examine the effect of MgO2 nanoconjugates on their growth rate. Seeds were treated with MgO2 nanoparticles and allowed to grow in glass house. Growth parameters (no. of leaves, no. of roots, seedling length, length of root, length of shoot, fresh and dry biomass weight and total chlorophyll content of control and treated peanut plants were examined and compared to analyse the possible impact of MgO2 nanoparticles on plants growth. Magnesium due to being a central atom of chlorophyll had a positive influence on plant development. Results showed distinguished results of these nanoparticles on plant growth rate. Therefore, this study strongly proposed the enhanced effect of MgO2 nanoparticles on peanut plants. These MgO2 nano-conjugates may act as potential plant growth promoting agents and can be used commercially for sustainable agriculture development.