Unveiling the potential of bioslurry and biogenic ZnO nanoparticles formulation as significant bionanofertilizer by ameliorating rhizospheric microbiome of Vigna radiata.

Abstract

Advancements in nanotechnology, particularly the use of bionanofertilizers, show promise for sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil health and reducing reliance on conventional fertilizers. This study explored the impact of a bioslurry and biogenic zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle formulation on microbial diversity in the rhizosphere of Vigna radiata (mung bean) using 16S rRNA sequencing. High-quality reads from both untreated and treated soil samples revealed a dominance of Archaea, though its proportion was reduced in the treated sample (66% in untreated, 58% in treated). The treated soil showed an increased abundance of beneficial bacterial phyla, including Acidobacteria (+ 6%), Actinobacteria (+ 2%), and Firmicutes (+ 2%). Notably, Acidobacteria-6 and Chloroacidobacteria, essential for nutrient cycling, were enriched in treated soil. Alpha diversity (Chao1 and Shannon indices) was lower in treated samples, indicating selective enhancement of beneficial microbes. Functional analyses like Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) and Statistical Analysis of Taxonomic and Functional Profiles (STAMP) analysis highlighted increased pathways related to motility, chemotaxis, and metabolic processes in the treated soil. These findings suggest that ZnO NPs and bioslurry treatment at 250 ppm improves soil microbial composition and functional attributes, supporting its potential as a bionanofertilizer for soil health restoration and enhanced plant growth.