Differential Growth -Markers and Nutrient Signaling Molecules Mediated by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Black Nightshade (Solanum Nigrum L.)

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and beans husk extract (BHE) on Black nightshade. Functional groups, morphological, optical appearance and elemental compositions of ZnONPs and BHE were evaluated. Growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant activities were also evaluated. Results revealed triple absorption bond between 2076.00–2352.36 cm⁻¹, double bond at 1632.34 cm⁻¹ in ZnONPs and BHE between 2352.00-2072.00 cm⁻¹. Zinc (70.56%, 50.45%) was the major element determined in ZnONPs as well as silica (50.25%, 20.34%) in BHE. BHE and ZnONPs showed normal distribution with an average diameter (9.9 nm) in BHE and (8.64 nm) in ZnONPs. Five (5.0 g/L) ZnONPs produced tallest plant height (62.33 cm) and highest number of leaves (64.67 cm). Malondialdehyde (24.27 µmolg ^− 1 FW) was significantly in the leaves as well as hydrogen peroxide (39.46 µmolg ^− 1 DW) in the roots. Antioxidant activities were significantly lower in the leaves and roots of the vegetable treated with 10.0g/L BHE compared with control. In conclusion, alcohol, hydroxy, silicone and aliphatic nitro compounds are common functional groups observed in ZnONPs and BHE. Medial alkyne, imino and azo were peculiar to ZnONPs while terminal alkyne and Isothiocyanate were the major functional groups determined in BHE. Five (5.0 g/L) ZnONPs enhanced growth-markers and suppressed ROS production in the vegetable, therefore adoption of the zinc oxide nano-particles as sustainable soil conditioners for plant growth enhancement and regulation of reactive oxygen species..