Abstract Nanoparticles can enhance growth and yield of different plants due to their favorable physicochemical properties. This study investigated the effect of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles on biochemical and growth parameters of maize seedling. CuO nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method and characterized for their chemical composition, structure, surface morphology and size distribution. The size distribution was found in the range of 11–28 nm. The majority nanoparticles exhibited sizes between 20 and 26 nm. The effect of these nanoparticles on catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), sugar level, protein, and chlorophyll content of maize plants was investigated during early growth stages. A randomized block design was used to quantify the effect of CuO concentration on maize seedling. It was revealed that CuO nanoparticles have a stimulating effect on the growth of plantlets. However, high CuO concentrations induced an inhibitory effect on plant growth parameters. CAT, SOD, and POD were more influenced by 550 ppm concentration whereas sugar level, protein and chlorophyll content were more affected by 800 ppm concentration. Outcomes of present study reveal that CuO-NPs have the potential to increase growth and yield of maize, but their effect is concentration dependent. Further research is required to explore the best effective concentration of CuO-NPs and mode of applications for yield maximization of maize.

中文翻译：

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可控粒径氧化铜纳米粒子的合成及应用在改善玉米幼苗生化和生长参数中的应用

摘要 纳米颗粒具有良好的理化性质，可以促进不同植物的生长和产量。本研究调查了氧化铜 (CuO) 纳米颗粒对玉米幼苗的生化和生长参数的影响。CuO纳米颗粒通过共沉淀法合成，并表征了它们的化学成分、结构、表面形态和尺寸分布。发现尺寸分布在 11-28 nm 范围内。大多数纳米粒子的尺寸在 20 到 26 nm 之间。在早期生长阶段研究了这些纳米颗粒对玉米植株的过氧化氢酶 (CAT)、过氧化物酶 (POD)、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、糖水平、蛋白质和叶绿素含量的影响。使用随机区组设计来量化 CuO 浓度对玉米幼苗的影响。结果表明，CuO纳米颗粒对幼苗的生长具有刺激作用。然而，高浓度的 CuO 对植物生长参数产生抑制作用。CAT、SOD 和 POD 受 550 ppm 浓度的影响更大，而糖水平、蛋白质和叶绿素含量受 800 ppm 浓度的影响更大。目前的研究结果表明，CuO-NPs 具有提高玉米生长和产量的潜力，但其效果取决于浓度。需要进一步的研究来探索 CuO-NPs 的最佳有效浓度和玉米产量最大化的应用模式。和 POD 受 550 ppm 浓度的影响更大，而糖水平、蛋白质和叶绿素含量受 800 ppm 浓度的影响更大。目前的研究结果表明，CuO-NPs 具有提高玉米生长和产量的潜力，但其效果取决于浓度。需要进一步的研究来探索 CuO-NPs 的最佳有效浓度和玉米产量最大化的应用模式。和 POD 受 550 ppm 浓度的影响更大，而糖水平、蛋白质和叶绿素含量受 800 ppm 浓度的影响更大。目前的研究结果表明，CuO-NPs 具有提高玉米生长和产量的潜力，但其效果取决于浓度。需要进一步的研究来探索 CuO-NPs 的最佳有效浓度和玉米产量最大化的应用模式。