Role of Zinc Oxide Particle Size in Modulating Growth and Cadmium Toxicity in Allium sativum L.: A Comparative Study of Quantum Dots, Nanoparticles, and Bulk Forms
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Cadmium (Cd) adversely affects plant growth, necessitating the development of effective strategies to mitigate its toxicity for sustainable agriculture. This study evaluates the effectiveness of zinc oxide (ZnO) quantum dots (QDs), nanoparticles (NPs), and bulk particles (BPs) in promoting the growth of Allium sativum L. and alleviating Cd stress. The synthesised ZnO particles were characterised using FE-SEM, FTIR, XRD, Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy to confirm their structural and optical properties. Treatment with ZnO particles significantly improved overall growth and photosynthetic parameters, and reduced Cd bioaccumulation and oxidative stress. QDs demonstrated the highest efficacy compared to NPs and BPs. Correlations among the various physiological and biochemical parameters were established through mathematical modelling, encompassing clustered heatmap analysis, the Pearson correlation mapping, and principal component analysis. Additionally, the environmental risk quotient (RQ) assessment of Cd indicated an enhanced ecological safety following the incorporation of ZnO particles. The findings clearly demonstrate that the size of the particles has a significant impact on the efficacy of ZnO. In summary, this research underscores the crucial role of ZnO particle dimensions in promoting plant growth and mitigating Cd toxicity. Furthermore, it emphasises the promise of ZnO QDs as a viable nanoscale strategy for sustainable agricultural management.
