IRON TOLERANCE AND YIELD OF Zea mays (L.) IN A FERRUGINOUS SOIL AFTER EXPOSURE TO BIOSYNTHESIZED COPPER NANOPARTICLES

Ferruginous soils pose challenges for plant growth as their high iron content can lead to iron toxicity and reduced crop yields. Copper nanoparticles show promise in alleviating iron toxicity in plants. This project assessed maize plants treated with varying copper nanoparticle concentrations in ferruginous soils with elevated iron. The goal was to evaluate maize tolerance to different iron stress levels and resultant yield. The results revealed enhanced maize growth with copper nanoparticles, especially at 35% and 100% concentrations, in both initial and subsequent growth stages. This indicates a dose-dependent relationship between nanoparticle concentration and maize growth, with higher concentrations conferring increased maize survivability against iron toxicity. Temporal dynamics emerged in the maize response to nanoparticles, underscoring the need to consider exposure duration in applications. During week 2, plants treated with a 35% Cu nanoparticle concentration in soils contaminated at 4 ESV displayed smaller leaf areas than those in 2.5 ESV soils. This suggests higher contamination may hinder the nanoparticles' positive leaf area effects. Overall, the intricate effects of copper nanoparticles on maize morphological characteristics depended on concentration, soil contamination, and specific parameters. Plant height, leaf length/width/area, and sheath length were influenced by treatment, while blocks significantly impacted plant height, leaf length, and sheath length. Copper nanoparticles show the potential to enhance maize survivability in ferruginous soils, offering a promising sustainable agriculture avenue in iron-rich environments.