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18 pages, 4252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving the Quality and Production of Philodendron Plants Using Nanoparticles and Humic Acid

by Ghada M. R. El-Shawa, Khadiga Alharbi, Muneera AlKahtani, Latifa AlHusnain, Kotb A. Attia and Khaled Abdelaal

Horticulturae 2022, 8(8), 678; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080678 - 25 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2486

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons to evaluate the effect of silver nanoparticles (SNPs), iron nanoparticles (FeNPs), zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs), and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nanoparticles (NPK NPs) and humic acid (HA) in improving the growth of Philodendron [...] Read more.

A pot experiment was conducted during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons to evaluate the effect of silver nanoparticles (SNPs), iron nanoparticles (FeNPs), zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs), and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nanoparticles (NPK NPs) and humic acid (HA) in improving the growth of Philodendron plants. Our findings indicated that the highest increase in plant height and leaf width was recorded with 60 mg/L SNPs. Additionally, the highest values in the number of leaves/plant were recorded with 60 mg/L SNPs compared to the control. FeNPs at 150 mg/L treatment gave the best result of total chlorophyll and carotenoid content, followed by SNPs at 60 mg/L and then NPK NPs at 2 mL/L in the two seasons. Furthermore, ZnNPs at 200 mg/L, SNPs at 20 mg/L, SNPs at 40 mg/L, and SNPs at 60 mg/L gave the best results of enzyme activity (catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase). However, the treatments with 40 and 60 mg/L SNPs led to improve the anatomical characters of leaves and stem such as thickness of the blade, mesophyll tissue, xylem vessel diameter, vascular bundle dimension, stem diameter, and epidermis cell dimension compared with other treatments and the control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanoparticles on Horticultural Crops)

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20 pages, 3772 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mitigation of Salinity Stress Effects on Broad Bean Productivity Using Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles Application

by Amira K. Nasrallah, Ahmed A. Kheder, Maimona A. Kord, Ahmed S. Fouad, Mohamed M. El-Mogy and Mohamed A. M. Atia

Horticulturae 2022, 8(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8010075 - 14 Jan 2022

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4001

Abstract

Water salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses, and the use of saline water for the agricultural sector will incur greater demand in the coming decades. Recently, nanoparticles (NPs) have been used for developing numerous plant fertilizers as a smart and powerful [...] Read more.

Water salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses, and the use of saline water for the agricultural sector will incur greater demand in the coming decades. Recently, nanoparticles (NPs) have been used for developing numerous plant fertilizers as a smart and powerful form of material with dual action that can alleviate the adverse effects of salinity and provide the plant with more efficient nutrient forms. This study evaluated the influence of calcium phosphate NPs (CaP-NPs) as a soil fertilizer application on the production and bioactive compounds of broad bean plants under salinity stress. Results showed that salinity had deleterious effects on plant yield with 55.9% reduction compared to control. On the other hand, CaP-NPs dramatically improved plant yield by 30% compared to conventional fertilizer under salinity stress. This improvement could be attributed to significantly higher enhancement in total soluble sugars, antioxidant enzymes, proline content, and total phenolics recorded use of nano-fertilizer compared to conventional use under salt stress. Additionally, nano-fertilizer reflected better mitigatory effects on plant growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, and oxidative stress indicators (MDA and H₂O₂). Therefore, our results support the replacement of traditional fertilizers comprising Ca²⁺ or P with CaP-nano-fertilizers for higher plant productivity and sustainability under salt stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanoparticles on Horticultural Crops)

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Review

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19 pages, 17447 KiB

Open AccessReview

Prospects of Nanotechnology in Improving the Productivity and Quality of Horticultural Crops

by Ruhul Amin Rana, Md. Nurealam Siddiqui, Milan Skalicky, Marian Brestic, Akbar Hossain, Emrul Kayesh, Marek Popov, Vaclav Hejnak, Dipali Rani Gupta, Nur Uddin Mahmud and Tofazzal Islam

Horticulturae 2021, 7(10), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7100332 - 22 Sep 2021

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 11002

Abstract

Nanotechnology shows high promise in the improvement of agricultural productivity thus aiding future food security. In horticulture, maintaining quality as well as limiting the spoilage of harvested fruit and vegetables is a very challenging task. Various kinds of nanomaterials have shown high potential [...] Read more.

Nanotechnology shows high promise in the improvement of agricultural productivity thus aiding future food security. In horticulture, maintaining quality as well as limiting the spoilage of harvested fruit and vegetables is a very challenging task. Various kinds of nanomaterials have shown high potential for increasing productivity, enhancing shelf-life, reducing post-harvest damage and improving the quality of horticultural crops. Antimicrobial nanomaterials as nanofilm on harvested products and/or on packaging materials are suitable for the storage and transportation of vegetables and fruits. Nanomaterials also increase the vitality of the cut flower. Nanofertilizers are target-specific, slow releasing and highly efficient in increasing vegetative growth, pollination and fertility in flowers, resulting in increased yield and improved product quality for fruit trees and vegetables. Formulated nanopesticides are target-specific, eco-friendly and highly efficient. Nanosensors facilitate up-to-date monitoring of growth, plant disease, and pest attack in crop plants under field conditions. These novel sensors are used to precisely identify the soil moisture, humidity, population of crop pests, pesticide residues and figure out nutrient requirements. This review aimed to provide an update on the recent advancement of nanomaterials and their potential uses for enhancing productivity, quality of products, protection from pests and reduction of the postharvest losses of the horticultural crops. This study reveals that nanotechnology could be used to generate cutting-edge techniques towards promoting productivity and quality of horticultural crops to ensure food and nutritional security of ever-increasing population of the world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanoparticles on Horticultural Crops)

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