Application of Zinc Oxide Nano Particles in the Performance of Jatropha curcas Grown in Cement Waste Contaminated Soil

Thomas Okoh; Celestine Aguoro; Olasan J.U; Emmanuel I Ugbe

doi:10.31557/apjec.1800.20250910

Authors

Thomas Okoh Department of Botany, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Benue State, Nigeria.
Celestine Aguoro Department of Botany, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Benue State, Nigeria.
Olasan J.U Department of Botany, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Benue State, Nigeria.
Emmanuel I Ugbe Department of Botany, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Benue State, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31557/apjec.1800.20250910

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ZnO nanoparticles in the performances of Jatropha curcas (J.curcas) grown in cement waste contaminated soil in replicated pot trials.

Methods: There were 5 levels of nano treatments (20ppm, 40ppm, 60ppm, 80ppm and 100ppm) and one level of Zinc salt and inorganic liquid fertilizers while seeds without treatments served as control. The eight different treatments were replicated 5 times each with a total of 40 experimental units of pots. A 7-day seed germination experiment was conducted in petri dishes consisting of different concentrations of nano particles except the control dish.

Results: Result showed that 100ppm Zn nano enhanced seed germination by 50% as against 0% seed germination in petri dishes without nano treatments after 7 days. The effects of nano particles on the growth of Jatropha curcas showed that, those planted in the cement contaminated medium treated with nano particles had average height (12.13 cm) with approximately ten (10) leaves with the leaf length and width measuring optimally (8.910 cm) and (8.43 cm) respectively whereas the stem diameter and the plant vigour were measured to be (3 cm) each on average.

Conclusion: The effects of nano particles on the emergence of plant and height showed that the emergence of the J. curcas was more rapid (2.750 ± 0.957 cm) following the treatment with fertilizer while the treatment with nano particles at 60 ppm had the highest mean plant height (21.250 ± 4.193 cm). The effect of nano particles on the number of leaves and length of J. curcas revealed that plants in the control experiment had the lowest number and length of leaves (8.500 ± 1.291) and (8.500 ± 0.707cm) respectively while the treatment with nano particles at 60 ppm had the highest mean number of leaves (16.750 ± 4.113) and leaf length (9.250 ± 0.500 cm). Inferences drawn from the study suggest that addition of zinc oxide (ZnO) nano particles to cement waste contaminated soil increased growth, some biochemical aspects, and yield attributes of J. curcas.