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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Dose-dependent effects of green-synthesised zinc oxide nanoparticles on growth and seed yield of black gram (Vigna mungo L.)

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13813
Submitted
24 January 2026
Published
03-06-2026

Abstract

Black gram (Vigna mungo L., cv. Pant U-12) is an important pulse crop with nutritional and economic value, but its productivity is often constrained by poor seed vigour and low nutrient uptake. This study evaluated the potential of green-synthesised zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), derived from Punica granatum fruit peel extract, to enhance growth and yield in black gram. The biosynthesised ZnO NPs, with an average particle size of 65.73–81.52 nm, were characterised by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and UV–Visible spectroscopy. Seeds were primed with five ZnO NP concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 ppm) and tested in a randomised complete block design with three replicates during the rabi season (February–April). Growth parameters were recorded at 45 DAS and yield attributes were assessed at harvest. Among the treatments, 15 ppm ZnO NP seed priming produced the best overall response, increasing the number of leaves per plant (103 %), the number of pods per plant (113 %), seeds per pod (149 %) and seed yield per plant (168 %) compared with the control. The findings suggest that green-synthesised ZnO NP seed priming is an eco-friendly and effective approach for improving growth and yield in black gram, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional agrochemical inputs.

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