ABSTRACT
The effects of leaf extract-based biosynthesized manganese nanoparticles on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa var. Nerica) was assessed. The study was carried out in the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, utilized leaves from four plant species: Carica papaya (Pawpaw), Azadiracta indica (Neem), and the flowers of Hibiscus sabdarifa (red sorrel, commonly known as ‘zobo leaves’). The rice variety employed was Nerica rice, sourced from a farm in Delta state, Nigeria. Both ferruginous and non-ferruginous soils were employed in the study. Nanoparticles were synthesized in the laboratory and applied within 3-4 hours post-synthesis to the rice plants, four weeks after planting. Application involved foliar spraying of each leaf species at room temperature, under sterile conditions. The nanoparticle treatments encompassed the control, ZM1 (5%), ZM2, and so forth (25%), ZM3 (50%), PM1 (5%), PM2 (25%), PM3 (50%), NM1 (5%), NM2 (25%), and NM3 (50%). Results from the study indicated strong correlation between the various treatments. PM2 (25%) significantly enhanced the morphological traits of the plants. There was no discernible difference between the treatments in terms of yield improvement, but the treatments had a favourable impact on the foliar chlorotic activity in the rice leaves. It is crucial to increase the plant's photosynthetic activity in order to increase productivity and yield. However, in addition to other agricultural applications, the findings from this study will help determine the potential of nanoparticles in crop growth and yield.
