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Abstract
The above study explores the impact zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) play in cadmium (Cd) clean-up as well as their ability to affect Vigna unguiculata growth. Cowpea, often referred to as black-eyed pea or Vigna unguiculata, is a significant legume crop that is extensively grown due to its high nutritional content and resistance to environmental stresses like heavy metals. The hazardous heavy metal cadmium seriously endangers both human health and agriculture. Owing to their distinctive physicochemical characteristics, such as their high reactivity and large surface area, zinc oxide nanoparticles are considered to be excellent candidates for a range of agricultural applications. The purpose of this study is to evaluate ZnO NPs’ impacts on Vigna unguiculata growth metrics and their capacity to reduce Cd toxicity. The experimental setup consisted of control and four treatments (25mg/kg) for the heavy metal and ( 10, 30 and 50mg/kg) for the Nanoparticles in three replicates. Data for growth (germination, plant height, stem girth, leaf loss and number of leaves) were collected weekly during the course of the experiment. Preliminary results show that the application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) xii positively impacts the developmental processes of Vigna unguiculata. The plants exposed to a lower dosage of ZnO NP and Cd exhibit improved growth characteristics compared to the plants exposed to higher concentration of Zinc Oxide, suggesting a stimulatory effect on the plant’s overall development. This study adds to the knowledge of the potential advantages and applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles in agriculture, specifically their ability to mitigate Cadmium toxicity and their positive influence on the growth of Vigna unguiculata. These results have implications for sustainable farming practices and the development of eco-friendly strategies to combat heavy metal pollution in Agricultural system.
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