Abstract
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (T-ZnO-NPs) synthesized with Thymus vulgaris (thyme) extract have gained attention for their potential impact on plant growth. Previous studies have shown that nanoparticles, especially those derived from plant extracts, can influence germination, root and shoot development, and chlorophyll content in various plant species. Thyme extract, known for its bioactive compounds, presents an intriguing source for nanoparticle synthesis. In this context, our study aims to explore the effects of T-ZnO-NPs on wheat plants and provide insights into their role in enhancing growth performance. The T-ZnO-NPs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). SEM and FTIR analyses provided detailed information about the morphology and functional groups of the nanoparticles, while XRD revealed an average size of 19.72 nm. The synthesized nanoparticles were then applied to wheat plants through soil applications, foliar spray, and hydrogel formulations. Germination tests were conducted to assess the impact on wheat germination percentage, and pot experiments were set up to evaluate the growth parameters and chlorophyll content under different concentrations of T-ZnO-NPs. The germination tests demonstrated a positive influence of T-ZnO-NPs suspension on wheat germination percentage. Furthermore, hydrogel applications of T-ZnO-NPs showed significant improvements in root and shoot lengths of wheat seedlings. Pot experiments revealed an increase in the dry/fresh weight ratios of plants subjected to various T-ZnO-NPs concentrations in hydrogels, indicating enhanced biomass production. The chlorophyll content of plants exhibited a dose-dependent response, with a notable increase at low concentrations (250 and 500 mg/L) for both soil and foliar applications. However, concentrations of 4000 mg/L and above did not result in a significant increase in chlorophyll content. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the positive influence of T-ZnO-NPs, synthesized using thyme extract, on the growth and development of wheat plants. The dose-dependent effects observed in germination percentage, root and shoot lengths, biomass production, and chlorophyll content highlight the importance of optimizing nanoparticle concentrations for maximum benefits. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the potential of plant-synthesized nanoparticles in agriculture and emphasize the need for further research to elucidate underlying mechanisms and optimize application protocols.