Zinc (Zn) deficiency is common on calcareous soils due to fixation with soil components and precipitation with other ions. ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) may serve a better source of Zn for improved growth and biofortification in maize grains. Pot and field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of ZnO nanoparticles in comparison with conventional Zn fertilizer (ZnSO₄) on growth and grain Zn contents of maize. In both experiments, Zn application improved growth and physiological parameters of plants, however maximum improvement was observed in treatments receiving ZnSO₄ (soluble) or ZnO nanoparticles (insoluble source of Zn). Application of ZnO nanoparticles also improved Zn concentration in shoots as well as in grains in field experiment. In field experiment, Zn partitioning was also calculated and interestingly it is found that Zn concentration at maturity stages were reduced in stem and mature leaves. Maximum Zn concentration (~80 mg kg⁻¹) was observed in young leaves at vegetative growth stage in treatments receiving ZnO nanoparticles. Foliar applied ZnO NPs showed maximum increase in grain Zn concentration (82%). It is concluded that ZnO NPs improved maize growth, yield and grain Zn contents. Being cheaper and efficient source, it can be used for Zn biofortification.

钙（Zn）缺乏在钙质土壤上很常见，这是由于与土壤成分固定并与其他离子沉淀所致。ZnO纳米颗粒（ZnO NPs）可以提供更好的Zn来源，以改善玉米籽粒的生长和生物强化。进行了盆栽和田间试验，以评估ZnO纳米颗粒与常规Zn肥料（ZnSO ₄）相比对玉米生长和籽粒Zn含量的影响。在两个实验中，锌的施用均改善了植物的生长和生理参数，但是在接受ZnSO _4的处理中观察到最大的改善。（可溶性）或ZnO纳米颗粒（不溶的Zn来源）。ZnO纳米颗粒的应用还提高了田间试验中枝条和谷物中的Zn浓度。在田间试验中，还计算了锌的分配，有趣的是，发现茎和成熟叶片中成熟阶段的锌浓度降低了。在接受ZnO纳米粒子的处理中，在营养生长阶段的幼叶中观察到最大的Zn浓度（〜80 mg kg ^-1）。叶面施用的ZnO NPs显示出最大的锌Zn浓度增加（82％）。结论是ZnO NPs改善了玉米的生长，产量和籽粒Zn含量。作为便宜和有效的来源，它可用于锌生物强化。