Influence of Iron Nanoparticle and Multifaceted Endophytic Fungus Piriformospora indica on Zea mays L. - A Novel Approach toward Innovative Yet Sustainable Farming

The amalgamation of nanotechnology and biotechnology holds immense potential for developing innovative and essential products beneficial to mankind. Nanoparticles, particularly iron nanoparticles, exhibit the capacity to enhance plant growth and yield in various crops. Rather than employing nanomaterials alone, combining them with beneficial microorganisms can offer a more effective approach to promoting plant growth and yield. Piriformospora indica, a versatile endophytic fungus serves as a biofertilizer, bioregulator, stimulant, and biocontrol agent upon colonizing plant roots. The present study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of iron-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes, mesoporous carbon, and alumina materials and their impact on the growth and yield of Zea mays L. in conjunction with Piriformospora indica under greenhouse conditions. The nanomaterials were prepared using the impregnation method and were characterized to confirm their nano size. Under greenhouse conditions, plants treated with nanomaterials and colonized by Piriformospora indica exhibited improvements in root length (congruent to 2.5 times), shoot length (congruent to 1.8 times), root biomass (congruent to 3.5 times), shoot biomass (congruent to 2.3 times), chlorophyll content (congruent to 3 times), proline accumulation (congruent to 2.5 times), and a reduction in lipid peroxidation compared to untreated Zea mays L. plants. This suggests that the combined application of nanomaterials and the multifaceted fungus can positively influence plant growth and yield. [GRAPHICS]