Fertilizing benefits of biogenic phosphorous nanonutrients on in soils with variable pH.

Nanoformulations of Phosphorous (P) have recently been proposed as alternatives to P fertilizers. In this study, the fertilizing efficacies of P-based nanomaterials (NMs), nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP) and nanophosphorus (nP), were examined on (Pusa Rohini, Indian tomato) in growth room pot experiments. These NMs differed in their mode of synthesis, chemical composition, size and shape. Rock-phosphate (RP), phosphoric acid (PA) and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) were included as bulk materials for comparison. Three varieties of artificial soils were included in the study, neutral (pH 7.2), acidic (pH 4.3) and basic (pH 9.8). The effects of the NMs on germination, plant growth, and P content were assessed at the 15 and 30 days after treatment. The results showed that P-based NMs enhance the overall germination and plant growth by increasing P levels in all types of soils for the tomato plants in comparison to the bulk P sources. Analysis using X-ray fluorescence revealed enhanced P content in the plants indicating the uptake of P-based NMs. Evaluation of HO, total phenolics and total flavonoids contents after NM treatment suggest that there is no stress caused due to the application of NMs to the plant. The results of this study indicate the beneficial role of P-based NMs as fertilizers at the early stages of plant development, which opens a scope for further investigation of underlying metabolic and molecular pathways and field trials.