Nao- technology is the improving of fruit production and all.

1. Department Of Fruit Science, College Of Horticulture & Forestry, Central Agricultural
University, Pasighat-791102, Arunachal Pradesh
“Application of Nanotechnology in Fruit Crops”
RAM PREET SINGH
04H(P)-2021
Seminar II

2. Introduction
Scope of Nano Technology in Fruit Crops
Applications of Nanotechnology in Different Fields
Mechanisms of Nanoparticles
Role of Nanoparticles
Case Studies
Conclusion
CONTENT

3. Introduction
• The word ‘nanotechnology’ is coined from Greek word “nano”, meaning dwarf.
• Science, engineering, and technology at the nanoscale called nano technology.
• It used in communication technology, electronics, textiles etc.
• The development of new crop varieties through this technique.
Norio Taniguchi (1974)

4. Institute Working on Nano Technology in India
National mission on nanoscience and technology (nano mission) launched in May 2007
The nano technology research centres are:
 Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) - New Delhi
 Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) - New Delhi
 Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) – Mumbai
 Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) - Mohali

5. Scope of Nano Technology in Fruit Crops
Food Processing
Crop
Improvement
Nano
Technology
Drought
NANOPARTICLES
SALINITY
UV-Rays

6. Nano technology
Fruit packaging
Precision fruit culture
Nano based products
Gene transfer
Remote sensing device
Nano fungicides
Nano pesticides
Crop improvement
Nano fertilizers
Applications of Nanotechnology in Different Fields
(Shang, et al. 2019)

7. Mechanisms of Nanoparticles
 Nanoparticles are easily absorbed to plant surfaces and up taken by plants.
Different pathways of Nano particles absorption in plant body
I. Symplastic pathway
II. Apoplastic pathway
Very small-sized NP’s can be penetrated e.g., Cuticle
 Large size NPs can enter via non-cuticle areas e.g., Hydathodes and Stomata

8. Mechanism of nano- particle action

9. Nanoparticles in Abiotic Stress Management
Nanoparticles used in agriculture for the alleviation of various abiotic stresses
e.g., Salinity, Drought, Metal Toxicity.
Enhanced photosynthesis due to an increase in chlorophyll concentration.
Use of Ag NPs improved the germination percentage etc.
The role of zinc oxide (ZnO) alters the cytosine methylation that reduces the
genotoxic effect caused due to salinity.
(Ahmad and Akhtar, 2019).

10. Mechanism of Nanoparticles in Abiotic
Stress
Nano Particles
(synthetic/biogenic)
Ag, Ce, Fe, Mn, Si, Ti, Zn,
etc.
Abiotic Stress
Drought, Salinity, Heavy Metal
Nutrient, Temperature etc.
Modification in osmolytes (soluble
sugar, proline, glycine betaine etc.)
activity.
Alteration anti oxidant enzyme
activity (ascorbate peroxidase,
catalase and superoxide dismutase).
Adjustment in photosynthetic
pigment, stomatal conductance,
transpiration rate and water use
efficiency.
Alteration in gene expression.
(Amjad et al., 2018)

11. Silver Nanoparticles
• AgNPs increased plants growth profile (shoot and root length, leaf area) and
biochemical attributes (chlorophyll, carbohydrate and protein contents,
antioxidant enzymes) of Brassica juncea, common bean and corn (Salama 2012;
Sharma et al. 2012).
• Gruyer et al. (2013) reported AgNPs have both positive and negative effect on
root elongation depending on the plants species. They reported that root length
was increased in barley, but was inhibited in lettuce.
• AgNPs activated the amino cyclopropane 1-carboxylic acid (ACC)-derived
inhibition of root elongation in Arabidopsis seedlings, as well as reduced the
expression of ACC synthase 7 and ACC oxidase 2, suggesting that AgNPs acted
as inhibitors of ethylene perception and could interfere with ethylene
biosynthesis.

12. Role of Nanoparticles in Plants Protection
• The application of these systems can monitor and minimize pesticide and antibiotic use.
• Scientists are working on developing a simple, portable and accurate detection technique for farmers that
takes less time and can give results within a few hours.
• Fluorescent silica nanoprobes have potential for rapid diagnosis of plant diseases. These nanoprobes
conjugated with the secondary antibody of goat anti-rabbit IgG (Yao et al. 2009) were used for the
detection of a bacterial plant pathogen, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vesicatoria in Solanaceous crops.
Nano Emulsion
Nanoparticles in a
polymer
Nano Capsule
 Nano Particles i.e. Si and Ag.
 Size 3 – 5 nano meter

13. Nanomaterials Applied in Pheromones
Attract-and-kill through
pheromones.
Nanogel immobilized
ME(methyl eugenol) and
an effective agent for the
control of Bactrocera
dorsalis.
An et al. 2022

14. Nano Coating Material
Nanocoating is the thin layer material that helps to increase the shelf life of
fresh commodity.
Example:
I. Chitosan/ nano silica.
II. Nano titanium dioxide – low density polyethylene (TiO2-LDPE).

15. Nano-fertilizer Products Manufacture in India
Gohel et al., 2021
Company name Fertilizer name Specification Country of origin
IFFCO
IFFCO Nano
Biotechnology
Research Centre
(NBRC)
Nano Nitrogen, Nano
Zinc, Nano Copper
INDIA
TSR Organic
Fertilizers
TSR Organic Fertilizers
Flower Booster 100%
organic Nano Technology
Product
INDIA
Geolife NPK
Geolife NPK 19:19:19
Water Soluble
Fertilizer, Nano fert.
NPK 19:19:19 Fertilizers
for plants
INDIA
Infinite Biotech
Infinite Biotech Booster Bio-Nano Plant
Growth Promoter
INDIA

16. Impact of Nanoparticles on Fruit Crops
Nanoparticles Application Conc. Crop name Effects References
Nano calcium Foliar 2.0% Apple
↑ Fruit weight, density,
length, diameter and
length/ diameter ratio.
Ranjbar et al.
(2020)
Nano boron Foliar
10 ml
L−1
Mango
↑ Fruit setting, fruit
retention, number of
fruits and yield per tree.
Farouk et al.
(2019)
Nano-zinc
oxides (ZnO)
Coatings 0.5%
Strawberry
&
Kiwifruit
↓ The microbial load.
Retards the weight loss.
=The texture of the fruit.
Meng et al.
(2014)
Nano-
selenium
Soil
application
50 ppm Acid lime
↑ Germination
percentage by 30–36
percent.
Ahmed et al.
(2018)

17. Toxicity Issues of Nanoparticles in Plants, Soil Microflora and
Human Being

18. Case studies

19. Case study I
Effect of foliar application of zinc and boron nano fertilizers on
pomegranate(Punica granatum cv. Ardestani) fruit yield and
quality
Sohrab Davarpanaha, Ali Tehranifar a,∗, Gholamhossein Davarynejada, Javier Abadía b, Reza
Khorasani c
Objective: To evaluates foliar application of nano fertilizers in enhancing fruit set, yield and
quality of Pomegranate.
Iran
Davarpanah at al., 2016

20. Materials and methods
The two products used were “Nano Zinc Fertilizer” and “Nano fertilizer Boron”
Fertilizers were used in combined spray applications at concentrations 0, 60 and 120 mg Zn L−1
and 0, 3.25 and 6.5 mg B L−1
The fertilizer solution was prepared by diluting the commercial liquid product with well water
available in the orchard.
Trees were sprayed only once per season, one week before the first full bloom

21. Table 1. Effects of nano-Zn and −B foliar fertilizers on pomegranate fruit aril and peel percentages, aril/peel ratio,
weight of 100 arils, juice content of 100 g arils and peel thickness.
Treatment Total aril (%) Total peel (%) Aril/peel ratio Weight of 100
arils (g)
Juice content
of 100 g arils
(ml)
Peel thickness
(mm)
Zn0 + B0 57.6 42.4 1.36 a 36.6 a 62.1 a 2.44 a
Zn1 + B0 57.0 a 43.0 a 1.32 a 36.7 a 62.3 a 2.51 a
Zn2 + B0 56.0 a 44.0 a 1.27 a 37.6 a 63.1 a 2.56 a
Zn0 + B1 57.7a 42.3 a 1.36 a 36.6 a 62.6 a 2.41 a
Zn1 + B1 56.0 a 44.0 a 1.27 a 37.2 a 63.3 a 2.57 a
Zn2 + B1 55.9 a 44.1 a 1.26 a 38.8 a 62.6 a 2.57 a
Zn0 + B2 56.2 a 43.8 a 1.28 a 36.6 a 62.1 a 2.51 a
Zn1 + B2 55.9 a 44.1 a 1.26 a 37.3 a 62.9 a 2.61 a
Zn2 + B2 55.5 a 44.5 a 1.24 a 37.7 a 62.9 a 2.64 a
Note : Zn0, Zn1 and Zn2 are 0, 60 and 120 mg Zn L−1, and B0, B1 and B2 are 0, 3.25 and 6.5 mg B L−1, respectively foliar spray on
pomegranate.
Davarpanah at al., 2016
Iran

22. Table 2. Effects of nano-Zn and -B foliar fertilizers on pomegranate fruit juice pH, TSS, TA, maturity index.
Treatment Juice pH TSS (%) TA (%) Maturity index
(TSS/TA ratio)
Zn0 + B0 3.42 e 15.85 d 1.89 a 8.49 c
Zn1 + B0 3.55 de 15.97 d 1.81 ab 8.85 c
Zn2 + B0 3.70 cd 16.30 cd 1.59 c 10.24 b
Zn0 + B1 3.53 de 15.96 d 1.71 bc 9.43 bc
Zn1 + B1 3.73 c 16.26 cd 1.43 d 11.51 a
Zn2 + B1 4.04 a 16.96 ab 1.37 d 12.37 a
Zn0 + B2 3.83 bc 16.14 cd 1.39 d 11.71 a
Zn1 + B2 3.99 ab 16.56 bc 1.34 d 12.34 a
Zn2 + B2 3.98 ab 17.06 a 1.37 d 12.41 a
Note : Zn0, Zn1 and Zn2 are 0, 60 and 120 mg Zn L−1, and B0, B1 and B2 are 0, 3.25 and 6.5 mg B L−1, respectively foliar spray on
pomegranate.
Iran Davarpanah at al., 2016

23. Table 3. Effects of nano-Zn and -B foliar fertilizers on pomegranate fruit juice total phenols, antioxidant activity,
total sugars and total anthocyanins.
Treatment Total phenols (mg
100 g−1 FW)
Antioxidant activity
(%)
Total sugars (g 100
g−1 FW)
Total anthocyanins
(mg 100 g−1 FW)
Zn0 + B0 406.64 e 23.88 a 14.26 d 7.69 a
Zn1 + B0 406.92 de 24.17 a 14.28 d 7.76 a
Zn2 + B0 408.09 bcde 25.72 a 14.43 bcd 8.20 a
Zn0 + B1 407.74 cde 24.3 a 14.37 cd 8.01 a
Zn1 + B1 407.56 cde 24.98 a 14.54 bc 7.86 a
Zn2 + B1 408.60 bcde 26.41 a 14.63 b 8.66 a
Zn0 + B2 408.77 abc 26.11 a 14.43 bcd 8.51 a
Zn1 + B2 409.48 ab 26.72 a 14.60 bc 8.72 a
Zn2 + B2 409.92 a 29.48 a 14.93 a 8.68 a
Iran Davarpanah at al., 2016
Note : Zn0, Zn1 and Zn2 are 0, 60 and 120 mg Zn L−1, and B0, B1 and B2 are 0, 3.25 and 6.5 mg B L−1, respectively foliar spray on
pomegranate.

24. Result
 The effect was not as large with Zn as with B, and the lowest doses of Zn and B led to only
minor effects in yield.
 Physical fruit characteristics (fruit cracking, peel thickness, fruit length, fruit calyx diameter,
fruit average weight, aril and peel percentages, the aril/peel ratio, weight of 100 arils and juice
content) of arils were unaffected.
 On the other hand, changes in total sugars and total phenolic compounds were only minor, in
the ranges 1.9–4.6 and 1%, respectively, whereas the antioxidant activity and total
anthocyanins were unaffected.

25. Case Study II
Aim -: To improve the biotic stress in dragon fruit by the application of nano particles

26. Materials and Methods
Three treatments were sprayed OC with Mw of 3000, 5000, and 7000 g/mol at concentration of
150 mg/l.
After 24-h spraying, the plants were sprayed with fungal spore suspension with a volume of 2.5 l
per pillar.
Both OC and fungal spore suspension were not applied for negative control treatment (control-).
The fungal spore suspension was applied for positive control treatment (control+) without OC.
Chitinase enzyme activity and disease severity recorded before OC spraying
And after 24-h, 72-h, 120-h, and 168-h fungal spore suspension spraying were recorded.

27. Symptoms of brown spot disease caused by N.
dimidiatum fungus on branches and fruits of
dragon plants
Symptom of brown spots disease on the
branch of dragon fruit plants: control+ (1)
and nSiO2–OC treatment (2)

28. Table 1. DS value of brown spot disease on the fruit plants treated with OC having different
Mw after fungal inoculation .
Treatment
Disease severity(%)
24 h 72 h 120 h 168 h
Control - ND ND ND ND
Control + ↑ 1.93 2.33 3.54 4.28
OC Mw ~3000 ↓ 1.68 1.40 0.91 0.84
OC Mw ~5000 1.77 1.43 0.96 0.91
OC Mw ~7000 1.75 1.35 1.01 0.83
LSD 0.05 0.24 0.23 0.16 0.07

29. Fig. 1. DS value of brown spot disease on the fruit plants treated with OC having different Mw
after fungal inoculation .

30. Table 2. DS values of brown spot disease on the dragon fruit plants treated with OC, nSiO2–OC,
and nSiO2 after fungal inoculation
Treatment
Disease severity(%)
24 h 72 h 120 h 168 h
Control - ND ND ND ND
Control + 1.93 2.33 3.54 4.28
OC Mw ~3000 1.68 1.40 0.91 0.88
nSiO2-OC 1.85 1.06 0.73 0.77
nSiO2 1.87 2.00 2.18 2.29
LSD 0.05 0.63 0.32 0.17 0.08

31. Fig. 2. DS values of brown spot disease on the dragon fruit plants treated with OC, nSiO2–OC,
and nSiO2 after fungal inoculation

32. Result
 The brown spot disease caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum fungus on
dragon fruit plants (Hylocereus undatus) is an extremely serious disease.
 Oligo chitosan (OC) and nano silica (nSiO2) have been considered as effective
plant elicitors.
 The results showed that all OC enhanced chitinase induction and reduced
disease severity compared with control, and the OC ~ 3000 g/mol exhibited the
highest activity.
 The nSiO2–OC also exhibited similar effect as OC and nSiO2, but it was more
effective than individual OC or nSiO2 from 120 h onward.

33. Case study III
Zinc Oxide and Silicone Nanoparticles to Improve the Resistance
Mechanism and Annual Productivity of Salt-Stressed Mango Trees
Nabil I. Elsheery 1 , Mohamed N. Helaly 2 , Hanan M. El-Hoseiny 3 and Shamel M. Alam-Eldein 4
1 Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt;
nshery@agr.tanta.edu.eg
2 Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt;
nshery@yahoo.com
3 Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza 12619, Egypt;
hananelhosieny@yahoo.com
4 Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
Aim -: To the study of resistance mechanism of salt stressed Mango tree

34. Materials and Methods
Foliar spray with nanoparticle chelate fertilizers of zinc oxide (n ZnO < 100 nm) at
50, 100, and 150 mg/L silicone (nSi = 5–15 nm) at 150 and 300 mg/L and their
combinations
Applied two times; at full bloom (first week of April) and one month after (first
week of May)

35. Table 1. Effect of foliar spray with ZnO and Si nanoparticles (NPs) (mg/L) on leaf area (cm2 ) of
“Ewais” mango trees
Treatment Leaf Area
0 nZnO + 0 nSi 39.15
0 nZnO + 150 nSi 45.9
0 nZnO + 300 nSi 37.65
50 nZnO + 0 nSi 49
50 nZnO + 150 nSi 53.7
50 nZnO + 300 nSi 50.55
100 nZnO + 0 nSi 60.05
100 nZnO + 150 nSi 64.6
100 nZnO + 300 nSi 53
150 nZnO + 0 nSi 60.85
150 nZnO + 150 nSi 61.95
150 nZnO + 300 nSi 44.45

36. Table 2. Effect of foliar spray with ZnO and Si NPs (mg/L) on leaf NPK content (mg/g dw) of
“Ewais” mango trees.
Treatment
Leaf NPK Content
N P K
0 nZnO + 0 nSi 1.325 0.1365 0.74
0 nZnO + 150 nSi 1.445 0.1615 0.84
0 nZnO + 300 nSi 1.405 0.147 0.77
50 nZnO + 0 nSi 1.55 0.181 0.875
50 nZnO + 150 nSi 1.645 0.1895 0.96
50 nZnO + 300 nSi 1.58 0.17 0.86
100 nZnO + 0 nSi 1.75 0.2105 1.025
100 nZnO + 150 nSi 1.945 0.2575 1.19
100 nZnO + 300 nSi 1.64 0.195 0.965
150 nZnO + 0 nSi 1.71 0.1885 0.945
150 nZnO + 150 nSi 1.835 0.229 1.04
150 nZnO + 300 nSi 1.605 0.181 0.895

37. Table 3. Effect of foliar spray with ZnO and Si NPs (mg/L) on leaf total carbohydrates (mg/g
dw), total sugars, and proline (mg/g fw) content of “Ewais” mango trees
Treatment
Carbohydrates and Osmo stimulants
Total Carbohydrates Total Sugars Proline
0 nZnO + 0 nSi 39.6 5.8 5.4
0 nZnO + 150 nSi 40 5.8 5.9
0 nZnO + 300 nSi 39.2 5.7 5.75
50 nZnO + 0 nSi 40.8 6.55 6
50 nZnO + 150 nSi 44.5 8.25 6.8
50 nZnO + 300 nSi 43.1 7.35 6.05
100 nZnO + 0 nSi 44.75 8.35 6.6
100 nZnO + 150 nSi 46.9 9.65 7.35
100 nZnO + 300 nSi 44.45 7.65 6.25
150 nZnO + 0 nSi 42.05 7.9 7.05
150 nZnO + 150 nSi 45.65 9 7.2
150 nZnO + 300 nSi 40.55 5.95 6.1

38. Effect of foliar spray with ZnO and Si NPs (mg/L) on floral malformation (%), total fruit number,
and fruit weight (kg) of “Ewais” mango trees
Treatment Floral Malformation Fruit Number/Tree Fruit Weight/Tree
0 nZnO + 0 nSi 39.6 99 29.5
0 nZnO + 150 nSi 30.65 166 41.55
0 nZnO + 300 nSi 32.05 132.5 41.1
50 nZnO + 0 nSi 28.45 172 43
50 nZnO + 150 nSi 23.5 195 49.2
50 nZnO + 300 nSi 26.65 160.5 43
100 nZnO + 0 nSi 20.65 194 47.8
100 nZnO + 150 nSi 14.8 224.5 59.4
100 nZnO + 300 nSi 24.65 180.5 47
150 nZnO + 0 nSi 22.5 182 45.8
150 nZnO + 150 nSi 18.25 204.5 52.3
150 nZnO + 300 nSi 31.15 170.5 38.3

39. Result
 The findings of this study demonstrated the impact of nanoparticles on plant morphology,
physiology, and biochemistry.
 Nutrient uptake and carbon assimilation were positively improved with the combined
application of 100 mg/L nZnO and 150 mg/L nSi.
 The plant’s defense mechanisms under such conditions were improved, and thus overall plant
growth, productivity, and fruit quality was positively changed, with indication of a possible
reduction in alternate bearing incidence.
 Implementing nanoparticle-mediated targeting of biomolecules in such research would be
useful for developing new cultivars resistant to various environmental stresses.

40. Conclusion and Future Perspectives
• In the present scenario, NPs application in the agricultural sector is gaining popularity due to
use as nano fertilizers and nano sensors.
• The application of various NPs have been widely reported for imparting beneficial effects.
• Now a day’s biogenic synthesis of NPs is gaining momentum as these nanoparticles are non-
hazardous due to their biodegradable properties.
• However, exact mechanism of synthesis of NPs from biological entities still needs to be
explored, and risk analysis should also be performed before large scale production of NPs from
fungal or bacterial strain.
• Overall, this field is achieving huge interest by researchers in alleviating environmental stress
issues and for increase in crop yield.

41. THANK YOU
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“The World is One Family”
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