Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Myrtus communis L. Leaf Extract and Their Effects on Lolium temulentum L. Seeds Under Laboratory Conditions.

• Mohammed Jasim Ali , Ahmed Saeed Mohmed and Rafid Ahmed Abbas Al-khaldy

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The growing reliance on synthetic herbicides has intensified interest in eco-friendly nanotechnology-based alternatives. Here, nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were green-synthesized using an aqueous Myrtus communis L. leaf extract, and were then evaluated for phytotoxic activity against darnel (Lolium temulentum L.) seeds. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of nanoparticles by identifying a distinctive absorption peak at 366 nm, while Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy corroborated the presence of the zinc–oxygen bond at 416.62 cm⁻¹. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis revealed that the nanoparticles were nearly spherical and homogeneous, with an average size of approximately 30 nm. In an experimental setup employing a completely randomized design with three replicates, seeds were subjected to treatments of 0, 50, 100, and 200 ppm of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). Observations taken eight days following sowing indicated a substantial decline in germination rates from 96.7% in the control group to 23.0% at the highest concentration of 200 ppm. Additionally, there was a notable reduction in radicle and plumule lengths by 54.6% (from 8.853 to 4.023 cm) and 54.0% (from 8.573 to 3.943 cm), respectively, with significant concentration-dependent effects observed at intermediate ZnO NP levels. These findings illustrate that biosynthesized ZnO NPs hold potential as an environmentally sustainable option for bioherbicide applications in integrated weed management systems. Further empirical investigations are required to determine optimal application rates under diverse agricultural conditions.

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