A nanohybrid layered double hydroxide as an effective carrier for delivery and application of the phytohormone indole acetic acid.

The increasing need for agricultural production on the one hand, and requirements for greener and more sustainable agricultural practices on the other, have led to a growing demand for efficient and eco-friendly materials for the delivery of agrochemicals. Here we describe, the use of layered double hydroxide (LDH) particles as a carrier for a plant hormone. Magnesium-aluminum LDH intercalated with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was synthesized by co-precipitation method, characterized, and examined for real-life applications. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that both pristine and IAA-intercalated LDH particles exhibit hexagonal platelet morphology. X-ray diffraction showed a hydrotalcite-like structure and, together with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, verified the efficacious intercalation of IAA anions. The intercalation protected the IAA from enzymatic degradation and allowed its sustained release, as demonstrated by enzymatic stability and release tests, correspondingly. In-vivo assay revealed that intercalation inside LDH significantly increases the biological activity of IAA in promoting adventitious root development in plant cuttings. Results demonstrate the applicability of LDH as an advanced, effective, and sustainable carrier that overcomes the practical limitations of agrochemicals and significantly enhances their efficiency.