The effect of nano zinc oxide (Nano-ZnO) applications on drought tolerance of turf mixture

Drought is a significant abiotic stressor that has a direct impact on the quality and longterm viability of lawns. In this research, a grass mixture consisting of 60% tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), 20% perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and 20% rhizomatous red fescue (Festuca rubra L. subsp. rubra) was utilized in turfgrass field facilities. The objective was to investigate the impact of various doses of nano-zinc oxide (Nano-ZnO) applications (0, 10, 50, 100 ppm) on the drought tolerance of the grass mixture. Four treatment groups were established: K1-100% irrigation/PC/control, K2-75% irrigation/PC, K3-50% irrigation/PC, and K4-25% irrigation/PC. The study was conducted under controlled greenhouse conditions using plastic pots with a volume of 11 liters. The experimental design followed a randomized split-plot arrangement with three replications. The main plots consisted of varying levels of drought doses, while the sub-plots consisted of different doses of nano-zinc oxide (Nano-ZnO). The findings of the study indicate that drought stress induces detrimental impacts on many traits, with rates ranging from 3% to 48%. In contrast to control plants subjected to drought stress conditions, the application of NZnO resulted in varying increases in vegetation height ranging from 1% to 16%, plant wet weight ranging from 1% to 37%, turf quality ranging from 9% to 23%, grass color ranging from 5% to 24%, turf density ranging from 1% to 13%, and relative chlorophyll content index (RCCI) ranging from %. It has been discovered that there is an increase ranging from 6 to 31%. In summary, it was ascertained that the administration of NZnO demonstrated a degree of resilience in mitigating the adverse effects of drought stress, but at different rates. Notably, the dosages of NZnOD3 and NZnOD4 yielded more favorable outcomes compared to alternative methods of application.