Biofortification and growth enhancement of wheat via bacteria-assisted iron and zinc nanoparticles

By:
Pradeep Kumar, Anuj Rana, Mansi Sheokand, Suresh Kumar, Kautilya Chaudhary, Urvashi Nandal, Sandeep Kumar, Rahul Kumar Dhaka
Date:
2025

This original research isolates plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from metal-enriched soils and uses them to biosynthesize iron (FeNPs ~135 nm) and zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs ~197 nm). Combined with PGPR seed priming, both seed-primed and foliar-applied nanoparticles markedly improved wheat performance versus a recommended fertilizer control in pot trials—raising shoot length (7–9%), root length (14–35%), dry biomass (up to 59–96%), 100-grain weight (28–34%), and increasing grain iron (14–27%) and zinc (4–53%). Nanoparticle treatments also elevated auxin (~59%), chlorophyll a/b (≈51–107%), and soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase up to 53%, FDA up to 164%), improving root architecture, photosynthesis, and nutrient bioavailability to achieve micronutrient biofortification. The authors argue bacteria-assisted, biogenic Fe/Zn nanobiofertilizers mitigate toxicity issues seen with chemically synthesized nanoparticles and strengthen plant–microbe interactions, indicating a sustainable pathway to enhance yields and nutritional quality.