Synthesis and properties of CA/ZnONPs electrospun nanofiber as seed coating to enhance germination of aerobic rice seed

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) incorporated cellulose acetate bio-polymer (CA) sustainable nanofiber (NFs) seed coating material was produced by electrospinning technique. Varying concentrations (12wt% to 17wt%) of CA as binder and 100mg/L of Zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnONPs) as an active ingredient were used to produce electrospun nanofiber seed coating. FESEM, water contact angle (WCA), and membrane porosity analysis were performed to determine the physical properties of the CA/ZnONPs NFs. The germination capacity (%) of the aerobic paddy seed cv. MRIA was used to examine the effect of treated coated seeds. Results indicate that CA-ZnONPs of 17wt% CA with 100mg/L of ZnONPs produced beads-free homogenous morphological fiber with a nanometric scale of 526±139nm. 17wt% of CA-ZnONPs electrospun nanofiber results in high porosity by 94% and increases hydrophobicity to 131±2.0° compared to (CA NFs) respectively. The highest germination percentage was obtained from coated seed with 17wt% of CA with 100mg/L of ZnONPs with 60% and 67%, respectively, at 3 and 7 days after incubation. It was enhanced by about 45% and 33% (3 days), 20.8% and 29.8% (7 days) as compared to CA NFs and control. Higher germination capacity is essential to paddy cultivation as it is a physiological element that contributes to producing good in growth performance and quality of rice yield.