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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research communications

Vol. 13 No. sp5 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Effect of nano-enabled iron and zinc on yield, quality improvement and biofortification in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14853
Submitted
5 April 2026
Published
23-09-2026

Abstract

Micronutrient enrichment of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) through the efficacy of nano zinc and nano Iron on yield, quality and biofortification of the crop under field conditions was investigated. Zinc oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles were successfully synthesised using the chemical precipitation method. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to analyse the nanoparticles. The field experiment was done in randomised block design with 4 treatments and 4 replications with control, conventional micronutrient application, combined nano and conventional application and nano micronutrients being the treatments. Nano zinc and nano iron were applied as foliar sprays at 400 ppm at 30 and 60 days after transplanting. The results showed that the application of nano micronutrient significantly increased the yield, quality and nutrient uptake compared to conventional micronutrient application. The treatment receiving nano zinc and nano iron recorded the highest plant height (112.4 cm), number of branches (36.4) and dry matter production (24.7 t ha-1). Fruit yield was 20.4 t ha-1, which is 30.4 % higher than the control. Biofortification of zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) in brinjal along with quality characteristics such as total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, proteins and anthocyanin was observed to show a simultaneous trend with increasing biomass and nutrient uptake efficiency. Correlation and regression analysis were in accordance with the results, as a positive correlation was observed between nutrient uptake and yield as well as quality characteristics. It is concluded that the foliar spray of nano-iron and nano-zinc improves nutrient uptake efficiency in brinjal plants.

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