Nanocomposites will enhance tomato yield.

The study was published in the Russian Journal of Plant Physiology. Currently, approximately seven percent of the world's land (equating to one billion hectares) is saline. Plants struggle to extract water from such soils, leading to their desiccation and death. Furthermore, by 2050, it is anticipated that over 50 percent of all arable land on the planet will be affected by salinity, rendering it nearly unsuitable for growing vegetables and fruits.

However, the detrimental effects of salinity on seeds can be mitigated. Researchers from the Academy of Biology and Biotechnology of Southern Federal University, in collaboration with colleagues from India, have developed zinc oxide-based nanoparticles that assist in cultivating tomatoes under saline stress conditions. Zinc is a crucial micronutrient for plant development, and the small size of the nanoparticles allows them to penetrate into plant tissues. Utilizing these nanoparticles can accelerate growth, enhance seed germination rates, and increase the nutrient content in fruits.

The scientists tested solutions of nanoparticles with varying concentrations and different soaking durations for the seeds, ultimately discovering the ideal combination: seeds soaked for six hours germinated in saline soil 12.6 percent more successfully and 20 percent faster than untreated seeds.

“This is a promising approach—soaking seeds in a nanoparticle solution and planting them in saline soils. We are now looking to expand this method to other crops and standardize the technology for use by farmers,” says Vishnu Rajput, head of the International Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology at Southern Federal University.

The research is being conducted as part of the federal program "Priority 2030" (national project "Science and Universities") under the Southern Federal University project "Soil Resource Management Systems."