Zinc uptake and distribution in tomato plants in response to foliar supply of Zn hydroxide-nitrate nanocrystal suspension with controlled Zn solubility

The present study investigated the foliar uptake rate, distribution, and retranslocation patterns of novel, synthesized zinc hydroxide-nitrate nanocrystals (ZnHN; solubility 30-50 mg Zn L-1) applied on to the adaxial surface of tomato leaves (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Roma). The total Zn absorption from ZnHN suspension positively increased with ZnHN application rates, but the relative efficacy started to decline at > 400 mg Zn L-1. Within the 3 weeks, total Zn recovery in the ZnHN-treated plants was 16% of the total ZnHN-Zn applied, compared to the near 90% total Zn recovery in the Zn(NO3)(2)-plants at the same Zn rate. Foliar-absorbed ZnHN-Zn was distributed from the treated leaves into other plant parts and preferentially translocated into the roots. Distribution of Zn from ZnHN-treated leaves to apical parts was not limited by Zn deficiency. These results demonstrate that ZnHN crystals with controlled solubility provided some sort of slow-release Zn over a certain growth period at a rate slower (but quantitatively effective) than the soluble Zn(NO3)(2). The efficacy of the prolonged foliar Zn supply could be enhanced if the ZnHN suspension is sprayed over a large leaf surface area at the peak vegetative or early flowering stage.