Effects of a foliar-applied Saccharomyces cerevisiae-Urea-Zn-DAP nanofertilizer blend on seed germination and biomass in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)
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Radish ( Raphanus sativus L.) is an economically sustainable root vegetable cultivated worldwide for its nutritional, pharmaceutical, and agricultural importance. However, its production can be compromised by poor seed germination, nutrient shortage, and deteriorating soil fertility, which directly affect its marketable yield. This study focuses on a nano-biofertilizer comprising the plant probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae IIUI-565, conjugated with urea-Zn-DAP nanofertilizer, to enhance radish seed germination. Herein, for the first time, indigenous mixed herbs were used to synthesize urea-Zn-DAP nanofertilizer. The mixed herbal spice methanolic extracts consisted of eugenol (93%) and caryophyllene (4.8%) as the main reducing agents, identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. UV-Visible and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed mixed herb-mediated synthesis and synergism of urea-Zn-DAP nanofertilizers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis provided the presence of a hexagonal crystalline structure. SEM image revealed ultra-small spherical-hexagonal-shaped particles of urea-Zn-DAP NFs with an average size of 0.98 nm. Greenhouse experiments demonstrated that the foliar application of S. cerevisiae (1 × 10⁷ CFU mL⁻¹) with urea-Zn-DAP NFs (30 µM) achieved a germination rate of 95%, noticeably after 10 days in comparison with urea (70%). This comprehensive approach outlines a sustainable pathway to engineering microbial-nanomaterial consortia as next-generation nanobiofertilizers to foster resilient, eco-friendly crop production.
