Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5156973 | Carbohydrate Polymers | 2017 | 24 Pages |
Abstract
Cultivation of cereals in zinc deficient soils leads to declined nutritional quality of grain. Zinc deficiency in humans is a consequence of consumption of micronutrient deficient cereals as staple food. To achieve an increase in zinc density in grain, we evaluated zinc complexed chitosan nanoparticles (Zn-CNP) as a potential 'nanocarrier' suited for foliar fertilization. Zn-CNP were synthesized using tri-polyphosphate as a cross-linker. Spherical Zn-CNP (diameter 250-300Â nm) were positively charged (zeta potential, +42.34Â mV) and contained â¼20Â mg Zn/g (w/w). Plant growth in zinc deficient sand media, followed by foliar application of Zn-CNP (twice-a-week, for 5 weeks) after anthesis resulted in 27 and 42% increase in grain zinc content of MACS 3125 and UC1114 (durum wheat cultivars) respectively. Translocation of zinc ions from foliar applied Zn-CNP into the leaf and seed tissue was demonstrated using zinquin and dithizone stains, respectively. The study indicates the suitability of chitosan-based nanocarriers in agronomic biofortification.
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Authors
Paresh Deshpande, Ashwin Dapkekar, Manoj D. Oak, Kishore M. Paknikar, Jyutika M. Rajwade,