Synthesis and tracking of novel Mn and Se co-doped iron oxide nanoparticles: a promising nanofertilizer for plant growth and nutrient enrichment without genotoxic impact

Abstract Novel nanoformulations are promising agents to enhance plant growth and nutritional value. On the other hand, their inclusion in agricultural systems and environmental effects should be monitored carefully. This study synthesizes a novel nanofertilizer containing plant essential and beneficial elements, namely manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se) co-doped iron (Fe) oxide nanocomposites (MnSeFe₂O₄ NCs) and clarifies its growth-promoting property, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity on a common crop, barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.). To characterize the NCs, analytical procedures including XRD, EDX, TEM, SEM, and XPS were employed. Following this, barley sprouts were grown for three weeks in an aquacultural setup, containing varied NC doses: 0 (control), 50 to 400 mg L −1 . The study then assessed germination rates, various growth parameters, photosynthetic efficiency, and macro- and micro-element quantities. Microscopy techniques (i.e., confocal and scanning electron) and RAPD-PCR techniques were utilized to assess cellular, morphological, and genotoxic effects. Results demonstrated that MnSeFe₂O₄ NCs, crystal size of 36.3 nm, were taken up by the plant roots and translocated to the leaves, leading to a significant increase in Mn, Se, and Fe contents. The abundances of Ca, Mg, K, P, Zn, Ni, and Co were also remarkably improved over the control. Improvement in physiological and photosynthetic indices, such as germination rate (~ 25%), tissue growth (26–50%), chlorophyll, and carotenoid pigments (~ 50–75%), ETR, Fv/Fm, and Y(II) (10–27%) was evident upon NCs' inclusion. Importantly, the applied concentrations of the MnSeFe₂O₄ NCs did not cause genotoxicity or significant cellular and morphological changes in the barley plants, suggesting their safe application at the tested doses. These findings indicate that the MnSeFe 2 O 4 NCs are effective at enhancing plant growth and nutrient uptake, making them promising agents for use in nutrient-deficient agricultural systems and plant breeding programs.