Synthetic nanozeolite/nanohydroxyapatite as a phosphorus fertilizer for German chamomile (Matricariachamomilla L.)

Some regular P fertilizers are less effective in supplying the nutrient P. Thus, a greenhouse experiment was carried out to assess the fertilizing effect of synthetic nanozeolite (nCp)/nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) on agro-morphological characteristics, Chamanzulene and phosphorus up take of chamomile (Matricariachamomilla L.). Treatments consisted of (A) control, (B) saturated nano zeolite with ammonium sulfate (nCp-NH4+), (C) rock phosphate (RP), (D) saturated nano zeolite with ammonium sulfate plus rock phosphate (nCp-NH4+ + RP), (E) nanohydroxyapatite(nHA), (F) saturated nano zeolite with ammonium sulfate plus nanohydroxyapatite(nCp-NH4+ + nHA) (G) triple superphosphate (TSP) (H) saturated nano zeolite with ammonium sulfate plus triple superphosphate (nCp- NH4+ + TSP) were applied in this study. The nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) particles, with diameters of 25-50 nm, were produced by wet chemical process, in order to compare its ability in P solubility with that of a natural fertilizers (as Triple Superphosphate (TSP) and rock phosphate (PR). The results revealed that application of both nCp/nHA particles and conventional P fertilizer (TSP) could enhance the growth of chamomile. Both Cp-NH4+ + nHA and Cp-NH4+ + TSP showed the highest mean values for most of the measured traits including plant height, branch number, sub-branch number, Chamanzulene, flower number, soil, root and shoot phosphorous content, flower fresh and dry weight, and also shoot fresh weight and dry weight. On the contrary, no significant differences were observed among applied treatments regarding total nitrogen content and sulfate. The overall results point out that using nCp/nHA as a new class of P fertilizer can potentially enhance agronomical yield and reduce risks of water eutrophication.