Influence of Iron Nanoparticle and Multifaceted Endophytic Fungus Piriformospora indica on Zea mays L. - A Novel Approach toward Innovative Yet Sustainable Farming

Abstract

The amalgamation of nanotechnology and biotechnology holds immense potential for developing innovative and essential products beneficial to mankind. Nanoparticles, particularly iron nanoparticles, exhibit the capacity to enhance plant growth and yield in various crops. Rather than employing nanomaterials alone, combining them with beneficial microorganisms can offer a more effective approach to promoting plant growth and yield. Piriformospora indica, a versatile endophytic fungus serves as a biofertilizer, bioregulator, stimulant, and biocontrol agent upon colonizing plant roots. The present study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of iron-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes, mesoporous carbon, and alumina materials and their impact on the growth and yield of Zea mays L. in conjunction with Piriformospora indica under greenhouse conditions. The nanomaterials were prepared using the impregnation method and were characterized to confirm their nano size. Under greenhouse conditions, plants treated with nanomaterials and colonized by Piriformospora indica exhibited improvements in root length (≌2.5 times), shoot length (≌1.8 times), root biomass (≌3.5 times), shoot biomass (≌ 2.3 times), chlorophyll content (≌ 3 times), proline accumulation (≌ 2.5 times), and a reduction in lipid peroxidation compared to untreated Zea mays L. plants. This suggests that the combined application of nanomaterials and the multifaceted fungus can positively influence plant growth and yield.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Nano-Agriculture
• Iron Nanoparticles
• Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
• Mesoporous Carbon
• Piriformospora indica
• Zea mays L

Acknowledgement

Authors wish to acknowledge SERB, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India for the financial support (Early Career Research Award- ECR/2017/001256) and Dr. Krishna Venkatesh (Director, CIIRC- Bengaluru) for his kind help and support during the entire study.

Authors’ contribution

Minchitha K U and Swetha S: Conceptualization, Methodology, Supervision, Manuscript Writing

Sadhana V: Methodology, Investigation, Data Collection

Harish Kumar S & Venkata Krishna: Leaf Porometer analysis and Editing

All the authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data will be made available on request.