ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to determine the effect of copper nanoparticle on the growth of maize in a ferruginous soil. The experiment was carried out with three treatments, control and five replicates per treatment. The soil was polluted with iron sulphate. Each planting bag was filled with 7.5 kg of soil and the bags were perforated to allow for drainage. The seeds were planted at a depth of 2 cm. Five seeds of maize were planted per planting bag in order to carry out germination study. Copper nanoparticle were biologically synthesized using Hibiscus Sabdariffa leaf extract commonly known as zobo leaves and copper oxide solution. The synthesized nanoparticles were then characterized using a visible spectrophotometer. After two weeks of planting, copper nanoparticle were applied to the plant via foliar application in a concentration of 15%, 30% and 75%. Growth parameters such as plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and leaf loss were recorded after seven days. At the end of the experiment, values recorded for plant height for 1 ESV control, 1 15 %, 30 % and 75 % were 31.82a±4.11, 32.68b±4.20, 32.78b±4.24 and 33.16±4.36 respectively. For 3 ESV control and other treatments were 32.12a±4.92, 35.80c±4.46, 34.44b±4.23 and 31.26a±4.17. For 5 ESV control and other treatments were 32.52b±4.28, 32.24b±3.63, 31.56a±3.49 and 3174a±3.50 respectively. Zea mays L. treatments with copper nanoparticles apparently enhanced growth as measured in the height of the plants. The values recorded for the stem grith for 1 ESV at the end of the experiment for control and other treatments were 2.58a±063, 2.58a±0.63, 2.59a±0.16 and 3.00b±0.11 respectively. For 3 ESV control and other treatments were 2.52a±0.58, 2.62a±0.93, 2.56a±0.21 and 2.30a±0.91 respectively. For 5 ESV control and other treatments were 2.40a±0.07, 2.56a±0.26, 2.48a±0.31 and 2.30a±0.39. Zea mays L. treatment with coppoer nanoparticle apparently brought about increase as measured in the stem girth of the plants.