Effect of Iron Nanoparticles Prepared from Onion Extract On Cucumber Plant Growth and Production

Abstract

The use of chemical fertilizers seriously affects the environment and public health. Therefore, it is possible to use Nano-fertilizers that are quick and easy to obtain from different and cheap plant sources that are currently available. The field experiment had been carried out in the spring season 2021 in a (textured soil) alluvial clay mixture for the purpose of studying the effect of spraying synthetic nanoparticles used of iron oxide particles with onion plant extract at concentrations of 100, 200 and 300 ppm of the laboratory-synthesized nanoparticles on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus). The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by the following assays: UV- visible spectrophotometry, XRD, FTIR, TEM, SEM and AFM. The results showed a significant effect with used of the Nano pesticide, especially with the high concentration in the average plant height, dry weight, leafs area, yield of one plant and early yield. We conclude from this the positive effect of Nano-fertilizers synthesized with onion extract on plant growth which increasing cucumber yield, as well as the quality of its fruits. It can be used as an alternative to conditional mineral fertilizers, after conducting several studies on the safety of using plant for humans.