Nanobiostimulation with Fe₃O₄, Fe₂O₃, and ZnO in the Growth and Development of the Rice Crop (Oryza Sativa L. var. Azteca)
摘要
Various agricultural areas worldwide, particularly in southeastern Mexico, continue to rely on intensive management practices that involve the excessive use of agrochemicals. In this context, nanomaterials as biostimulants are considered a less damaging alternative for the soil, improving morphological characteristics and yields and elevating crop quality. In the present study, the effects of foliar application of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) nanoparticles (NPs), as well as their combination with NPK fertilizers applied to the soil at doses of 50% and 100% of the agronomic recommendation, on the growth, yield, and accumulation of Fe and Zn in the stems, leaves, and roots of rice plants were evaluated separately. The study findings demonstrated a significant impact of the combined application of NPK fertilizers and Fe and Zn NPs. Specifically, co-fertilization with 50% and 100% NPK and Fe and Zn NPs increased the number of grains per panicle and yielded 75% and 65% more per plant compared to the control treatment. Significant increases were also recorded in Fe and Zn concentrations in the stems, leaves, and roots of rice plants. We confirmed that the application of Fe and Zn NPs in an integrated NPK system potentiates the effect of cofertilization to improve plant yield of Aztec rice in the state of Campeche, Mexico. Therefore, co-fertilization could become a novel option to minimize NPK-based fertilizer doses, thereby contributing to the long-term maintenance of soil quality and rice crop quality.