Nanobiofertilization as a novel technology for highly efficient foliar application of Fe and B in almond trees

Abstract

Nanofertilization is postulated as a new technology to deal with the environmental problems caused by the intensive use of traditional fertilizers. One of the aims of this new technology is to improve foliar fertilization, which has many environmental advantages, but currently there are numerous factors that limit its efficiency. In this research, the objective was to study the potential of membrane vesicles derived from plant material as nanofertilizers of iron (Fe) and boron (B) for foliar application in almond trees (Prunus dulcis L.). The results show that the application of vesicles caused invaginations in the plasma membrane of the leaf cells. Also, the increase in leaf B and Fe was greater when these elements were applied in an encapsulated form rather than in a non-encapsulated form. The distribution of these elements in leaf tissues indicated the existence of an intracellular element transport pathway and accumulation areas, enabling greater element entry and mobility.

Keywords

• membrane vesicles
• foliar fertilization
• nanofertilization
• agriculture