Exploring the Impact of Nanoceria Particles on the Essential Nutrients of three varieties of Mungbean under Arsenic Stress

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the role of nanoceria particle on the nutritional quality of mung bean under arsenic stress. The study was a complete randomized design (CRD) involving three different cultivars of mungbean (Tvr-156, Tvr-162 and Tvr-145), four different concentrations of arsenic (0 mg/L, 20 mg/L, 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L), and six replications. Mungbean seeds were sown in nursery and later transplanted into seventy-two pots containing soil spiked with the four concentrations of arsenic. Two weeks after transplanting and after the seedlings were fully established, CeO2-NPs (200mg/L) was applied to the foliage at a rate of 25mL/ pot. This was repeated at two weeks interval. At harvest, seeds of the mungbean plants were analyzed for proximate content (crude protein, crude fiber, moisture content, total ash content, and crude lipid). Mineral content analysis (Mg, Ca, Na, K and P) as well as Vitamin content (A, C and E) were also carried out. The results obtained from the study show that application of nanoceria to plants in different stressed regimes improved moisture and ash content, crude fiber and crude lipid and fat content. Variations were observed in the proximate content determined across the different varieties of mungbean seed. High concentration of Magnesium and Calcium were accumulated at higher arsenic concentration while low arsenic concentration led to higher accumulation of potassium and phosphorous. The study concluded that nutrient content of the mungbean cultivars were enhanced with application of naboceria especially at low arsenic concentration.