Effect of nanosilica and silicon sources on plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, soil nutrients and maize seed germination. Issue 3 (1st September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karunakaran, Gopalu; Suriyaprabha, Rangaraj; Manivasakan, Palanisamy; Yuvakkumar, Rathinam; Rajendran, Venkatachalam; Prabu, Periyasamy; Kannan, Narayanasamy
• Is Part Of: IET nanobiotechnology. Volume 7:Issue 3(2013)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 77
• Publication Date: 2013-09-01
• Subjects: botany -- microorganisms -- nanobiotechnology -- nanostructured materials -- proteins -- renewable materials -- silicon -- silicon compounds -- soil; nanosilica -- silicon sources -- plant growth -- rhizobacteria -- soil nutrients -- maize seed germination -- soil properties -- total bacterial population -- rice husk -- silica powder -- colony forming unit -- protein -- bacterial biomass -- Si -- SiO2; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 660.6
• DOI: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2012.0048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-8741

Abstract

Abstract : The study was aimed at evaluating the effect of nanosilica and different sources of silicon on soil properties, total bacterial population and maize seed germination. Nanosilica was synthesised using rice husk and characterised. Silica powder was amorphous (50 nm) with >99.9% purity. Sodium silicate treated soil inhibited plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in contrast to nanosilica and other bulk sources. Surface property and effect of soil nutrient content of nanosilica treatment were improved. Colony forming unit (CFU) was doubled in the presence of nanosilica from 4 × 10 5 CFU (control) to 8 × 10 5 CFU per gram of soil. The silica and protein content of bacterial biomass clearly showed an increase in uptake of silica with an increase in nanosilica concentration. Nanosilica promoted seed germination percentage (100%) in maize than conventional Si sources. These studies show that nanosilica has favourable effect on beneficial bacterial population and nutrient value of soil.