Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Biomass and Photosynthetic Pigments in Avena sativa

Abstract The nanotechnology applications in agricultural systems are multiple since they offer the potential to significantly improve plant development as well as reduce economic and environmental costs. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (NpsZnO) and other metals have been shown to have positive effects in this field. In this work, NpsZnO were synthesized and their impact on the Avena sativa plant was evaluated. The synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) was carried out using the sol-gel method and the application of these was carried out in the seeds prior to their sowing. The results indicate that mesoporous NPs were obtained. The results indicated that the plants exposed to the application of NpsZnO had a significantly higher biomass production compared to the control treatment plants, showing values ​​of up to 0.45 (g) compared to the control that contained an average of 0.2 g an increase in the chlorophyll index was observed, obtaining concentrations up to 4 times the control. The growth-promoting effect of the applied NPs could be due to the activity of zinc as a precursor in the synthesis of auxins that promote cell division and elongation.