Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Zinc oxide nanoparticle-based seed priming enhances germination, growth, and yield in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)
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Research Articles | Published: 08 August, 2026
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Keywords: Zinc oxide nanoparticles, Radish extract, Seed priming, Nanofertilizer
Abstract
Seed hardness and poor germination uniformity limit crop establishment and productivity in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). The present study evaluated the effectiveness of green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), produced using Raphanus sativus leaf extract, as seed-priming agents for improving germination, growth, physiological traits, and yield in okra. The synthesized ZnONPs were characterized using FTIR, XRD, FESEM–EDX, and zeta potential analysis prior to biological evaluation. Seeds were primed with ZnONPs (25, 50, and 100 ppm) and compared with zinc acetate, radish leaf extract, fertilizer treatments, and an unprimed control. Germination and seedling growth were assessed under controlled conditions, followed by pot experiments evaluating vegetative growth, chlorophyll content, antioxidant activity, reproductive traits, and total yield. ZnONP priming significantly improved seedling vigor, chlorophyll accumulation, antioxidant activity, vegetative growth, pod number, and total yield compared with control and ionic zinc treatments. Among the tested concentrations, ZnONP 50 ppm produced the strongest overall response, whereas higher concentrations showed comparatively reduced performance. The study demonstrates that ZnONPs -based seed priming is an efficient, low-input, and sustainable strategy for improving okra productivity, with strong potential for application in climate-smart vegetable production systems.
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Author Information
Department of Botany, JECRC University Campus, Jaipur, India