Influence of nanoscale micro-nutrient α-Fe2O3 on seed germination, seedling growth, translocation, physiological effects and yield of rice (Oryza sativa) and maize (Zea mays)

Assessment of Various Nanoprimings for Boosting Pea Germination and Early Growth in Both Optimal and Drought-Stressed Environments

One of the main climate change-related variables limiting agricultural productivity that ultimately leads to food insecurity appears to be drought. With the use of a recently discovered nanopriming technology, seeds can endure various abiotic challenges. To improve seed quality and initial growth of 8-day-old field pea seedlings (cv. NS Junior) under optimal and artificial drought (PEG-induced) laboratory conditions, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of priming with three different nanomaterials: Nanoplant Ultra (Co, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mo, and Se), Nanoplant Ca-Si (Ca, Si, B, and Fe), and Nanoplant Sulfur (S). The findings indicate that nanopriming seed treatments have a positive impact on seed quality indicators, early plant growth, and drought resilience in field pea plants established in both optimal and drought-stressed conditions. Nevertheless, all treatments showed a positive effect, but their modes of action varied. Nanoplant Ultra proved to be the most effective under optimal conditions, whereas Nanoplant Ca-Si and Nanoplant Sulfur were the most efficient under drought stress. After a field evaluation, the examined comprehensive nanomaterials may be utilized as priming agents for pea seed priming to boost seed germination, initial plant growth, and crop productivity under various environmental conditions.

Foliar application of Fe2O3 nanofertilizer on growth and yield of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis L.) cv. Pusa Snowball K-1

The growth, yield, and quality of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) cv. Pusa Snowball K-1 were studied using Fe2O3-nano fertilizer (Fe2O3-N) in combination with Azotobacter, Farmyard manure (FYM), and Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Hydrothermally synthesized Fe2O3 nanoparticles characterized with XRD, FTIR, and SEM. The experiment consisting 12 treatments viz. T1 (Fe2O3-N), T2 comprising of Fe2O3-N + FYM + Azotobacter + PSB, T3 (Fe2O3-N + Azotobacter + PSB), T4 (Fe2O3-N + FYM + Azotobacter), T5 (Fe2O3-N + FYM + PSB), T6 (Fe2O3-N + FYM), T7 (Fe2O3-N + Azotobacter), T8 (Fe2O3-N + PSB), T9 (PSB), T10 (Azotobacter), T11 (FYM), and T12 (control). Fe2O3 NPs positively enhance the photosynthetic activity and stimulate catalyze enzymatic action in plant leaves that effect the health of the plant and remarkably increase the crop yield. Application of Fe2O3-nano fertilizer (Fe2O3-N) along the Azotobacter, FYM, and PSB was shown encouraging growth effects to improve the cropping behavior. Fe2O3 NPs positively enhance the photosynthetic activity and stimulate catalyze enzymatic action in plant leaves that effect the health of the plant and remarkably increase the crop yield.

Nano-enabled seed treatment: A new and sustainable approach to engineering climate-resilient crops

Under a changing climate, keeping the food supply steady for an ever-increasing population will require crop plants adapted to environmental fluctuations. Genetic engineering and genome-editing approaches have been used for developing climate-resilient crops. However, genetically modified crops have yet to be widely accepted, especially for small-scale farmers in low-income countries and some societies. Nano-priming (seed exposure to nanoparticles, NPs) has appeared as an alternative to the abovementioned techniques. This technique improves seed germination speed, promotes seedlings' vigor, and enhances plant tolerance to adverse conditions such as drought, salinity, temperature, and flooding, which may occur under extreme weather conditions. Moreover, nano-enabled seed treatment can increase the disease resistance of crops by boosting immunity, which will reduce the use of pesticides. This unsophisticated, farmer-available, cost-effective, and environment-friendly seed treatment approach may help crop plants fight climate change challenges. This review discusses the previous information about nano-enabled seed treatment for enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stresses and increasing disease resistance. Current knowledge about the mechanisms underlying nanomaterial-seed interactions is discussed. To conclude, the review includes research questions to address before this technique reaches its full potential.

Insights into the effect of manganese-based nanomaterials on the distribution trait and nutrition of radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Manganese (Mn) is one of the essential elements for plant growth and is involved in the process of photosynthesis and seed germination. Herein, we applied two Mn-based nanoparticles, MnO2 and Mn3O4, to the soil to investigate their effects on radish growth, antioxidant system, and nutrients. The radish plant height after treatment with 10 mg/kg of MnO2 and Mn3O4 NPs were increased, compare to the control. In radish's shoot, MnO2 NPs at high concentrations (100 mg/kg) increased MDA activity by 58 % compared to the control group, while exposure to Mn3O4 NPs at the same concentration decreased MDA activity by 14 %. The nutrient content of radishes, such as soluble sugar and vitamin C, was improved. Moreover, single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP ICP-MS) was used to understand the patterns of migration of Mn-based NPs in radish and subsequent impact on nutrients. We found that Mn-based NPs accumulated mainly in the roots of radish. Interestingly, the accumulation characteristics of MnO2 NPs and Mn3O4 NPs were different. MnO2 NPs accumulated more in radish leaves than in fruits, while the accumulation of Mn3O4 NPs gradually decreased from roots to leaves. Finally, we determined the mineral element content of the leaves, fruits, and roots of radish, and found that the uptake of main metallic mineral elements (e.g. Cu, Fe, Mg, Zn, Na, K) was inhibited by the application of Mn-based NPs. These findings underscore the importance of considering species and multifaceted impacts of Mn-based NPs as nanofertilizers for their wide application in agriculture.

Nanoenabled Enhancement of Plant Tolerance to Heat and Drought Stress on Molecular Response

Global warming has posed significant pressure on agricultural productivity. The resulting abiotic stresses from high temperatures and drought have become serious threats to plants and subsequent global food security. Applying nanomaterials in agriculture can balance the plant's oxidant level and can also regulate phytohormone levels and thus maintain normal plant growth under heat and drought stresses. Nanomaterials can activate and regulate specific stress-related genes, which in turn increase the activity of heat shock protein and aquaporin to enable plants' resistance against abiotic stresses. This review aims to provide a current understanding of nanotechnology-enhanced plant tolerance to heat and drought stress. Molecular mechanisms are explored to see how nanomaterials can alleviate abiotic stresses on plants. In comparison with organic molecules, nanomaterials offer the advantages of targeted transportation and slow release. These advantages help the nanomaterials in mitigating drought and heat stress in plants.

Magnetic iron-based nanoparticles biogeochemical behavior in soil-plant system: A critical review

Increasing attention is being given to magnetic iron-based nanoparticles (MINPs) because of their potential environmental benefits. Owing to the earth abundance and high utilization of MINPs, as well as the significant functions of Fe in sustainable agriculture and environmental remediation, an understanding of the environmental fate of MINPs is indispensable. However, there are still knowledge gaps regarding the largely unknown environmental behaviors and fate of MINPs in soil-plant system. Thus, this review summarizes recent literature on the biogeochemical behavior (uptake, transportation, and transformation) of MINPs in soil and plants. The different possible uptake (e.g., foliar and root adsorption) and translocation (e.g., xylem, phloem, symplastic/apoplastic pathway, and endocytosis) pathways are discussed. Furthermore, drivers of MINPs uptake and transportation (e.g., soil characteristics, fertilizer treatments, copresence of inorganic and organic anions, meteorological conditions, and cell wall pores) in both soil and plant environments are summarized. This review also details the physical, chemical, and biological transformations of MINPs in soil-plant system. More importantly, a metadata analysis from the existing literature was employed to investigate the distinction between MINPs and other engineering nanoparticles biogeochemical behavior. In the future, more attention should be given to understanding the behavior of MINPs in soil-plant system and improving the capabilities of predictive models. This review thus highlights the main knowledge gaps regarding MINPs behavior and fate to provide guidance for their safe application in agrochemicals, crop production, and soil health.

Lipid transfer protein, OsLTPL18, is essential for grain weight and seed germination in rice

Nonspecific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) promote the intermembrane transportation of phospholipids, fatty acids, and steroids, and play diverse roles in various biological processes. However, the potential roles of the rice nsLTPs have not been well elucidated yet. Here, the functions of OsLTPL18 were analyzed using CRISPR/Cas9 strategy and cytological analysis. The osltpl18 (osltpl18-1, osltpl18-2, and osltpl18-3) seeds were thinner, and 1000-grain weight and grain thickness of osltpl18 plants were decreased obviously, compared to the ZH11. Meanwhile, the results of germination assay and 1 % TTC staining showed that vigor of osltpl18 seeds decreased significantly. Furthermore, the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the cell width of spikelet hull in osltpl18 lines was significantly reduced than that in WT, as well as cell number in grain-width direction. Finally, we found that co-expressed genes were enriched in glucan biosynthesis, protein transporter activity, serine-type endopeptidase inhibitor activity, and nutrient reservoir activity. In this study, we discussed that OsLTPL18 might have coordinating functions in regulation of grain weight and germination in rice.

Siddique K, Li B. Nanobiotechnology to advance stress resilience in plants: Current opportunities and challenges

A sustainable and resilient crop production system is essential to meet the global food demands. Traditional chemical-based farming practices have become ineffective due to increased population pressures and extreme climate variations. Recently, nanobiotechnology is considered to be a promising approach for sustainable crop production by improving the targeted nutrient delivery, pest management efficacy, genome editing efficiency, and smart plant sensor implications. This review provides deeper mechanistic insights into the potential applications of engineered nanomaterials for improved crop stress resilience and productivity. We also have discussed the technology readiness level of nano-based strategies to provide a clear picture of our current perspectives of the field. Current challenges and implications in the way of upscaling nanobiotechnology in the crop production are discussed along with the regulatory requirements to mitigate associated risks and facilitate public acceptability in order to develop research objectives that facilitate a sustainable nano-enabled Agri-tech revolution. Conclusively, this review not only highlights the importance of nano-enabled approaches in improving crop health, but also demonstrated their roles to counter global food security concerns.

Use of metal nanoparticles in agriculture. A review on the effects on plant germination

Agricultural nanotechnology has become a powerful tool to help crops and improve agricultural production in the context of a growing world population. However, its application can have some problems with the development of harvests, especially during germination. This review evaluates nanoparticles with essential (Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn) and non-essential (Ag and Ti) elements on plant germination. In general, the effect of nanoparticles depends on several factors (dose, treatment time, application method, type of nanoparticle and plant). In addition, pH and ionic strength are relevant when applying nanoparticles to the soil. In the case of essential element nanoparticles, Fe nanoparticles show better results in improving nutrient uptake, improving germination, and the possibility of magnetic properties could favor their use in the removal of pollutants. In the case of Cu and Zn nanoparticles, they can be beneficial at low concentrations, while their excess presents toxicity and negatively affects germination. About nanoparticles of non-essential elements, both Ti and Ag nanoparticles can be helpful for nutrient uptake. However, their potential effects depend highly on the crop type, particle size and concentration. Overall, nanotechnology in agriculture is still in its early stages of development, and more research is needed to understand potential environmental and public health impacts.

Effect of Abiotic Stresses from Drought, Temperature, and Density on Germination and Seedling Growth of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Seed germination and seedling growth are highly sensitive to deficit moisture and temperature stress. This study was designed to investigate barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds' germination and seedling growth under conditions of abiotic stresses. Constant temperature levels of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C were used for the germination test. Drought and waterlogging stresses using 30 different water levels were examined using two methods: either based at 1 milliliter intervals or, on the other hand, as percentages of thousand kernel weight (TKW). Seedling density in a petri dish and antifungal application techniques were also investigated. Temperature significantly impacted germination time and seedling development with an ideal range of 15-20 °C, with a more comprehensive range to 10 °C. Higher temperatures reversely affected germination percentage, and the lower ones affected the germination and seedling growth rate. Germination commenced at 130% water of the TKW, and the ideal water range for seedling development was greater and more extensive than the range for germination, which means there is a difference between the starting point for germination and the seedling development. Seed size define germination water requirements and provides an objective and more precise basis suggesting an optimal range supply of 720% and 1080% of TKW for barley seedling development. A total of 10 seeds per 9 cm petri dish may be preferable over greater densities. The techniques of priming seeds with an antifungal solution (Bordóilé or Hypo) or antifungal application at even 5 ppm in the media significantly prevented fungal growth. This study is novel regarding the levels and types of abiotic stresses, the crop, the experimental and measurement techniques, and in comparison to the previous studies.

Molecular dynamics of seed priming at the crossroads between basic and applied research

The potential of seed priming is still not fully exploited. Our limited knowledge of the molecular dynamics of seed pre-germinative metabolism is the main hindrance to more effective new-generation techniques. Climate change and other recent global crises are disrupting food security. To cope with the current demand for increased food, feed, and biofuel production, while preserving sustainability, continuous technological innovation should be provided to the agri-food sector. Seed priming, a pre-sowing technique used to increase seed vigor, has become a valuable tool due to its potential to enhance germination and stress resilience under changing environments. Successful priming protocols result from the ability to properly act on the seed pre-germinative metabolism and stimulate events that are crucial for seed quality. However, the technique still requires constant optimization, and researchers are committed to addressing some key open questions to overcome such drawbacks. In this review, an update of the current scientific and technical knowledge related to seed priming is provided. The rehydration-dehydration cycle associated with priming treatments can be described in terms of metabolic pathways that are triggered, modulated, or turned off, depending on the seed physiological stage. Understanding the ways seed priming affects, either positively or negatively, such metabolic pathways and impacts gene expression and protein/metabolite accumulation/depletion represents an essential step toward the identification of novel seed quality hallmarks. The need to expand the basic knowledge on the molecular mechanisms ruling the seed response to priming is underlined along with the strong potential of applied research on primed seeds as a source of seed quality hallmarks. This route will hasten the implementation of seed priming techniques needed to support sustainable agriculture systems.

Potential Effects of Metal Oxides on Agricultural Production of Rice: A Mini Review

The extensive usage of metal oxide nanoparticles has aided in the spread and accumulation of these nanoparticles in the environment, potentially endangering both human health and the agroecological system. This research describes in detail the hazardous and advantageous impacts of common metal oxide nanomaterials, such as iron oxide, copper oxide, and zinc oxide, on the life cycle of rice. In-depth analyses are conducted on the transport patterns of nanoparticles in rice, the plant's reaction to stress, the reduction of heavy metal stress, and the improvement of rice quality by metal oxide nanoparticles, all of which are of significant interest in this subject. It is emphasized that from the perspective of advancing the field of nanoagriculture, the next stage of research should focus more on the molecular mechanisms of the effects of metal oxide nanoparticles on rice and the effects of combined use with other biological media. The limitations of the lack of existing studies on the effects of metal oxide nanomaterials on the entire life cycle of rice have been clearly pointed out.

Bioremediation of Hazardous Wastes Using Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles

Advanced agronomic methods, urbanisation, and industrial expansion contaminate air, water and soil, globally. Agricultural and industrial activities threaten living biota, causing biodiversity loss and serious diseases. Strategies such as bioremediation and physiochemical remediation have not been effectively beneficial at treating pollutants. Metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) such as copper, zinc, silver, gold, etc., in various nanoformulations and nanocomposites are used more and more as they effectively resist the uptake of toxic compounds via plants by facilitating their immobilisation. According to studies, bio-based NP synthesis is a recent and agroecologically friendly approach for remediating environmental waste, which is effective against carcinogens, heavy metal contamination, treating marine water polluted with excessive concentrations of phosphorus, nitrogen and harmful algae, and hazardous dye- and pesticide-contaminated water. Biogenic resources such as bacteria, fungi, algae and plants are extensively used for the biosynthesis of NPs, particularly metallic NPs. Strategies involving green synthesis of NPs are nontoxic and could be employed for commercial scale production. Here, the focus is on the green synthesis of NPs for reduction of hazardous wastes to help with the clean-up process.

Prediction models on biomass and yield of rice affected by metal (oxide) nanoparticles using nano-specific descriptors

The use of in silico tools to investigate the interactions between metal (oxide) nanoparticles (NPs) and plant biological responses is preferred because it allows us to understand molecular mechanisms and improve prediction efficiency by saving time, labor, and cost. In this study, four models (C5.0 decision tree, discriminant function analysis, random forest, and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis) were applied to predict the effect of NPs on rice biomass and yield. Nano-specific descriptors (size-dependent molecular descriptors and image-based descriptors) were introduced to estimate the behavior of NPs in plants to appropriately represent the wide space of NPs. The results showed that size-dependent molecular descriptors (e.g., E-state and connectivity indices) and image-based descriptors (e.g., extension, area, and minimum ferret diameter) were associated with the behavior of NPs in rice. The performance of the constructed models was within acceptable ranges (correlation coefficient ranged from 0.752 to 0.847 for biomass and from 0.803 to 0.905 for yield, while the accuracy ranged from 64% to 77% for biomass and 81% to 89% for yield). The developed model can be used to quickly and efficiently evaluate the impact of NPs under a wide range of experimental conditions and sufficient training data.

Effect of Salinity and Temperature on the Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Desert Forage Grass Lasiurus scindicus Henr

Lasiurus scindicus Henr. is one of the most important forage grass species of the Arabian deserts. Temperature and soil salinity are well known to influence the germination and seedling development of various forage species. Therefore, in the current study, the effect of temperature and salinity and their interaction on the germination parameters, seedling growth, and physiological parameters of L. scindicus were evaluated. For this reason, L. scindicus seeds were treated with five salinity concentrations (i.e., 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl) and incubated at two temperature levels (T1 = 25/20 °C, D/N and T2 = 35/30 °C, D/N). The results indicated that the salinity and temperature significantly affected the germination indices, seedling growth parameters, chlorophyll, and proline content. The highest germination percentage (GP; 90%) was recorded in the non-saline-treated seeds incubated at T1. The seeds at T2 under the non-saline treatment exhibited an increased germination rate (GR = 17.5%). The interactive effect of salinity and temperature on germination and growth parameters was significant, indicating that the germination response to salinity depends on temperature. The germination of seeds treated with 200 mM NaCl was completely inhibited at both temperatures T1 and T2. However, the ungerminated seeds at both T1 (85%) and T2 (78%) restored their germination abilities after they were transferred to distilled water. Also, the seed vigor index (SVI) constantly showed a decline with the increasing salinity levels especially at T2, which was lowest when seeds were treated with 150 mM salinity. Growth parameters (i.e., aRL, aSL, RDW, SDW, SB, and SLA) and the chlorophyll content showed a similar pattern as that of germination. However, the proline content (shoot proline and root proline) showed a progressive increase with increasing salinity and temperature. All of these characteristics indicate that L. scindicus seeds were not able to germinate under extreme salinity and temperature conditions but remained viable in a state of enforced dormancy. This is most likely an important adaptive strategy of this species for survival in the high-saline changing habitats of the arid region of Saudi Arabia, and thus, it can be an excellent choice for restoring degraded rangelands and salinity-inflicted abundant farmlands for forage agriculture.

Effect of exogenous l-aspartate nano‑calcium on root growth, calcium forms and cell wall metabolism of Brassica napus L

Currently, l-aspartate nano‑calcium (Ca(L-asp)-NPs) has been sued as a calcium supplement for humans, but its effects on plants are not well elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of exogenous Ca(L-asp)-NPs on the growth of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) for the first time. Different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg L^-1) of Ca(L-asp)-NPs and 1.18 g L^-1 Ca(NO₃)₂ were used in the nutrient solution. The results indicated that Ca²⁺ released from Ca(L-asp)-NPs were absorbed by the roots, and had a significant effect on plant height, root length, biomass accumulation, and root structure formation, especially on the growth and development of coarse roots at 100 mg L^-1 Ca(L-asp)-NPs. Calcium (Ca) accumulation, Ca-pectinate, Ca-phosphate and Ca‑carbonate, and Ca-oxalate in plant roots and leaves were positively linked with Ca(L-asp)-NPs concentration. For cell wall, Ca(L-asp)-NPs treatment increased the content of pectin, and the activity of cell wall degrading enzymes in roots, such as pectin methyl-esterase (PME), cellulose enzyme (CE), polygalacturonase (PG), and β-galactosidase (β-Gal). For cell membrane osmotic regulation, Ca(L-asp)-NPs promoted the accumulation of soluble sugar and soluble protein. This finding suggests that 100 mg L^-1 Ca(L-asp)-NPs had the best growth-promoting effect on rapeseed. This study provides a valuable reference for exogenous Ca(L-asp)-NPs as new nano Ca supplements for plant growth.

Genome-Wide Association Analysis Reveals the Genetic Basis of Iron-Deficiency Stress Tolerance in Maize

Iron (Fe) is an essential trace element for almost all organisms and is often the major limiting nutrient for normal growth. Fe deficiency is a worldwide agricultural problem, which affects crop productivity and product quality. Understanding the Fe-deficiency response in plants is necessary for improving both plant health and the human diet. In this study, Fe-efficient (Ye478) and Fe-inefficient maize inbred lines (Wu312) were used to identify the genotypic difference in response to low Fe stress during different developmental stages and to further determine the optimal Fe-deficient Fe(II) supply level which leads to the largest phenotypic difference between Ye478 and Wu312. Then, genome-wide association analysis was performed to further identify candidate genes associated with the molecular mechanisms under different Fe nutritional statuses. Three candidate genes involved in Fe homeostasis of strategy II plants (strategy II genes) were identified, including ZmDMAS1, ZmNAAT1, and ZmYSL11. Furthermore, candidate genes ZmNAAT1, ZmDMAS1, and ZmYSL11 were induced in Fe-deficient roots and shoots, and the expression of ZmNAAT1 and ZmDMAS1 responded to Fe deficiency more in shoots than in roots. Beyond that, several genes that may participate in Fe homeostasis of strategy I plants (strategy I genes) were identified, which were either encoding Fe transporters (ZmIRT1 and ZmZIP4), or acting as essential ethylene signal transducers (ZmEBF1). Interestingly, ZmIRT1, ZmZIP4, and ZmEBF1 were significantly upregulated under low Fe stress, suggesting that these genes may be involved in Fe-deficiency tolerance in maize which is considered as strategy II plant. This study demonstrates the use of natural variation in the association population to identify important genes associated with Fe-deficiency tolerance and may further provide insights for understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the tolerance to Fe-deficiency stress in maize.

The Effect of Temperature and Water Stresses on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Temperature and moisture are essential factors in germination and seedling growth. The purpose of this research was to assess the germination and growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds under various abiotic stressors. It was conducted in the Agronomy Institute of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gödöllő, Hungary. Six distinct temperature levels were used: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 °C. Stresses of drought and waterlogging were quantified using 25 water levels based on single-milliliter intervals and as a percentage based on thousand kernel weight (TKW). Seedling density was also tested. Temperature significantly influenced germination duration and seedling development. 20 °C was ideal with optimal range of 15 °C to less than 25 °C. Germination occurred at water amount of 75% of the TKW, and its ideal range was lower and narrower than the range for seedling development. Seed size provided an objective basis for defining germination water requirements. The current study established an optimal water supply range for wheat seedling growth of 525–825 percent of the TKW. Fifteen seeds within a 9 cm Petri dish may be preferred to denser populations.

Biogenic preparation of ZnO, CaO, and ZnO-CaO nanocomposites and its influence on agro-morphological characteristics of mung bean

In this study, nanomaterials (ZnO and CaO) and ZnO-CaO nanocomposites (Zn₂₅Ca₇₅O; Zn₅₀Ca₅₀O; Zn₇₅Ca₂₅O) were prepared using co-precipitation method and physico-chemically characterized by XRD, FT-IR, and SEM with EDAX analysis. The XRD pattern of ZnO nanomaterials exhibits hexagonal wurtzite structure and CaO nanomaterials exhibit face-centered cubic (FCC) structure whereas nanocomposites (Zn₇₅Ca₂₅O, Zn₅₀Ca₅₀O, Zn₂₅Ca₇₅O) exhibit both hexagonal phase of ZnO and cubic phase of CaO. The SEM images of ZnO-CaO nanocomposites show the well-distributed clusters composed of ZnO and CaO nanoparticles with most of the particles are spherical and some of the particles are rod- and cubic-like morphology. Furthermore, nanomaterials and nanocomposites were used as nano-seed priming agents to assess the seed germination and seedling growth parameters of mung beans. Among the nano-seed priming agents, 500 ppm concentration of the nanocomposite (Zn₅₀Ca₅₀O) showed significant enhancement of germination (100%) and shoot length (11.7 cm), root length (8.9 cm), and vigor index (1910) than other nanomaterials and nanocomposites.