Absorption of commercial and nanoparticulate ZnO and MgO synthesized by combustion reaction applied to maize soil

Nanotechnology has rapidly expanded across various fields, yet its application in agriculture remains underexplored. This study investigates the impact of zinc oxide (ZnO) and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles on maize cultivation, comparing commercial samples with those synthesized by combustion reaction. Synthesized ZnO and ZnO/MgO (1:1 by mass) were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine particle size and morphology. The experimental design assessed the effects of different treatments on magnesium and zinc uptake in maize roots and leaves, using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) for analysis. Results indicate that commercial ZnO significantly increased Zn absorption compared to synthesized samples and the control group, highlighting the influence of particle size and surface area on nutrient uptake. This study provides valuable insights into the potential of nanomaterials into the plant’s absorption mechanism as well as show that the availability of Zn NP synthesized contributes to the absorption of zinc by the plant without competing with Mg. On the other hand, when in Zn commercial, Mg absorption may be impaired.