Field evaluation of Zinc oxide - graphene oxide bio nanocomposite fertigation strategy for improving growth, yield and soil fertility in Zea mays L.

Maize productivity enhancement is one of the leading areas of research in the past several decades. Sustaining soil health has to be considered parallel to the yield in cereal crop improvement. In this study, a Zinc oxide - graphene oxide (ZnO/GO NC) bio nanocomposite was evaluated for its ability to improve growth performance, yield formation, and soil biological activity in maize ( Zea mays L.). Twelve fertigation treatments comprising of nanocomposites and individual nanoparticles were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Standard zinc treatments and vermicompost treatment were used to establish comparison of obtained results. Crop growth quality parameters were assessed through germination, plant height, leaf development and phenological changes like tasseling and silking. Yield components such as cob length, biomass accumulation, 100-grain weight, and yield were recorded to understand contributions to cereal productivity. Post-harvest soil assessment was focused on physicochemical attributes, macronutrients, micronutrients and biological indicators like dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). 2000 ppm of ZnO/GO NC was shown to improve maize growth and yield traits without imparting a negative impact on soil quality measurements. The values generated for DHA and MBC assay showed an enhanced soil functional quality and no detrimental effects on microbial activity. Overall, the study demonstrates that this treatment can support both yield enhancement and soil quality development.