Influence of nanosilicon dioxide along with bioinoculants on Zea mays and its rhizospheric soil.

Application of nanocompounds along with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria is gaining attention to improve agriculture productivity. In the present study, attempts have been made to observe the impact of nanosilicon dioxide (10 mg L-1) and two plant growth promotory bacteria (PC1-MK106029) and (PC4-MK106024) on the growth of Zea mays and its rhizosphere in a pot experiment. Combined treatment of bacterial consortium and nanosilicon dioxide enhanced average plant height and number of leaves over control in maize after 30 days of sowing. Similarly, percent enhancement of total chlorophyll, carotenoid, sugar, soluble protein, phenol and flavonoid content was 106, 307, 116, 57, 159 and 132 respectively over control in maize leaves in the same treatment. Treated plants showed significant increase of 29.4 and 73.9% in catalase and peroxidase activities respectively over control. Physicochemical and biochemical parameters of soil health were also improved in the soil treated with PGPR and nanosilicon dioxide. An increase of 1.5-2 fold in the activities of fluorescein diacetate, dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase was observed in the treated soil as compared to control. Our results revealed that inoculation of beneficial microorganisms in combination with nanosilicon dioxide is an effective method for enhancing physicochemical and biochemical parameters of the soil which are responsible for increased plant growth and soil fertility by increasing enzyme activities of microbes. This approach presents an alternative to pesticides, fertilizers and GM crops to enhance crop productivity. © King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2020.