Synthesis of New Slow-Release Nanocarriers (ZnO/SiO2 and ZnO/CDs): An Innovative Approach to Enhance Zinc Recovery Efficiency in Bread Wheat Cultivation in Calcareous Soils

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Dept of Soil Science, Urmia University

3 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran-Iran

4 Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad-Iran

5 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia-Iran

6 Soil and Water Research Department, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Urmia-Iran

Abstract

This study aimed to synthesize two novel zinc nanocarriers, carbon-dots (ZnO/CDs) and mesoporous silica (ZnO/SiO2), as slow-release zinc fertilizers and to compare their effects with ZnSO4 on Zn concentration and yield of grain and shoot, as well as the zinc recovery efficiency across four bread wheat varieties under calcareous soil conditions. After synthesis, their size, surface structure, and elemental composition were characterized. A greenhouse experiment was carried out in a factorial arrangement with seven treatments, including three zinc fertilizer sources (ZnO/CDs, ZnO/SiO₂, and ZnSO₄), two application methods (soil application at 5 mg kg⁻¹ and foliar-spraying at 0.02% w/v), and four wheat cultivars (Heidary, Pishgam, Mihan, and Heyran) during 2023. The results showed that foliar-spraying of ZnO/SiO₂ resulted in the highest grain zinc concentration (38 mg kg⁻¹) and shoot zinc concentration (56 mg kg⁻¹) in both Heyran and Heidary. The highest grain and shoot yields were also observed under this treatment in the same cultivars. Soil incubation results indicated that zinc release from ZnO/SiO₂ and ZnO/CDs occurred gradually. Within 20 days, approximately 28% and 42%, respectively, of the initial Zn²⁺ concentration (2 mg kg⁻¹) was released, whereas 100% of Zn²⁺ from ZnSO₄ was released during this period. Zinc recovery efficiency in response to zinc sources varied significantly among genotypes and was affected by fertilizer type, and wheat genotype. The highest zinc recovery efficiency was obtained with foliar-spraying of ZnO/SiO₂ in Heyran and Heidary cultivars, while the lowest efficiency was associated with soil application of ZnSO₄ in Pishgam and Mihan cultivars.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Introduction

The unbalanced use of chemical fertilizers in intensive cropping systems has disrupted food security due to the increasing global population. Nanotechnology has emerged as a novel approach to enhance fertilizer efficiency and improve the productivity of agricultural products. Given that zinc deficiency in agricultural soils leads to significant nutritional problems, slow-release nanofertilizers can reduce nutrient losses and assist in better nutrient managemen. This study aims to identify zinc-efficient genotypes in bread wheat using newly synthesized carbon- and silica-based nanocarriers.

Materials and Methods

This study was conducted at the Greenhouse Research Center of Urmia University in 2023 to evaluate the effects of three Zn sources (ZnO/SiO2, ZnO/CDs, and ZnSO4) using two application methods (soilApp and foliarSpry) on four wheat varieties (Heidary, Pishgam, Mihan, and Heyran). The experiment utilized a factorial design with complete random blocks, consisting of seven treatments and three replicates. Each pot contained 8 kg of severely Zn-deficient soil. Before planting, necessary N-P-K nutrients were applied. In the soilApp method, 5 mg/kg was applied before planting, and in the foliarSpry, Zn-containing fertilizer solution 0.02% w/v for the desired treatments was sprayed on wheat leaves in Three stages. The concentration and yield of the grain and shoot, as well as their effect on Zn recovery efficiency, were determined. Additionaly, soil incubation experiment for evaluating the Zn2+ slow-release characteristics of ZnO/SiO2 and ZnO/CDs nanocarriers was conducted.

Results and Discussion

The study identifies ZnO/SiO2 and ZnO/CDs nanocomposites, confirming key elements through EDS analysis. ZnO/SiO2 has about 16% Zn content and a surface area of ~100 m²/g, while ZnO/CDs has ~14% Zn and an average diameter of 114 nm. These nanocomposites show potential for scientific research. Complexation can increase the residence time of compounds in the soil and has a significant impact on the movement and availability of Zn in the soil ecosystem. The soil incubation results showed that all Zn present in ZnSO4 was released within 20 days, while the release of Zn2+ from ZnO/SiO2 and ZnO/CDs continued gradually and in a controlled manner for up to 40 days, reaching concentrations of 1.44 and 1.17 mg/kg, respectively. Therefore, they can be introduced as slow-release sources of zinc. The effects of fertilizer sources, wheat varieties, and their interactions on the Zn concentration and grain yield were significant. Overall, compared to ZnSO4, nanofertilizers, especially ZnO/SiO2, not only increased the Zn concentration in the grains and shoots, but also significantly improved their yield. The varieties Hayran and Heidary showed the best response to these fertilizer sources across all varieties. Although ZnO/CDs showed positive results similar to ZnO/SiO2, its overall effect was less than that of ZnO/SiO2. This difference may be due to the positive effect of silicon in ZnO/SiO2, which helps enhance photosynthetic activities and plant growth. The Zn recovery efficiency in wheat genotypes is significantly influenced by the source and application method of Zn fertilizers, the genotypes Heidary and Hayran demonstrated superior performance with nanofertilizers ZnO/SiO2, and achieved increases in zinc recovery efficiency compared to ZnSO4.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the nanofertilizers ZnO/SiO2 and ZnO/CDs significantly increased zinc recovery efficiency and improved the continuous availability of zinc to plants. Additionally, selecting the type and application method of fertilizers based on soil conditions and genotypes is essential to enhance productivity and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers. Further under greenhouse and field conditions are necessary to optimize the performance of these nanocarriers, as well as to investigate drought-resistant wheat genotypes, considering the prevailing water scarcity in the country.

Funding

The study was funded by the University of Urmia, Country Iran.

Authorship contribution

For this research articles the authors' contributions to the article extracted from the thesis are approximately as follows:

First author: Sima Afra: Preparation and preparation of samples, conducting experiments and collecting data, performing calculations, statistical analysis of data, analyzing and interpreting information and results, preparing the draft of the article

Second and third authors: Mirhassan Rasouli-Sadaghiani and Mohammad Jafar Malakouti, ​​thesis supervisors, research design, supervising the stages of research, reviewing and controlling the results, correcting, reviewing and finalizing the article.

Fourth, fifth and sixth authors: Mina Alikhani, Ebrahim Sepehr and Aziz Majidi, thesis advisors, participating in research design, supervising the research, reading and reviewing the article

All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Authorship limited to Sima Afra, Mirhassan Rasouli-Sadaghiani and Mohammad Jafar Malakouti, Mina Alikhani have contributed substantially to the work re-ported.

Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process

Not used AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.

Data availability statement

Data from this study are available upon request from the authors.

Ethical considerations

The authors avoided data fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism, and any form of misconduct.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research
Volume 57, Issue 5
July 2026
Pages 1055-1073

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