The effect of nanomaterial (ZnO) application on the growth and yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grown with saline irrigation water

In this study, the effects of Nano Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles at concentrations of Np1; 50 ppm, Np2 100 ppm, and Np3; 300 ppm on the fresh and dry weight yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were evaluated under different salinity conditions (T1 = Tap Water 1.2 dS/m, T2 = 2 dS/m, T3 = 4 dS/m). The experiment was conducted using a factorial randomized block design with three replications, totaling 36 pots. According to the research results, there is a significant negative relationship between irrigation water salinity and plant fresh and dry weights. Among the salinity treatments, the highest fresh and dry weight values were observed in T1 with 155 g/plant and in T3 with 14 g/plant. In the Nano Zinc Oxide treatments, the highest fresh and dry weight values were recorded in the NP3 treatment, with 201g/plant and 16.85 g/plant, respectively. Variance analysis of the fresh weight data indicated that the interaction between irrigation water salinity and nanomaterial was statistically significant (P <0.01). It was also observed that the effect of Nano Zinc Oxide diminished as salinity levels increased. The highest fresh weight was recorded in the T1NP3 treatment at 201 g/plant. Regarding dry weight, statistical analysis revealed no significant relationship between irrigation water salinity and Nano Zinc Oxide levels. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were found among the Nano Zinc Oxide treatments. Key words: Irrigation water salinity, Nanotechnology, Nano Zinc Oxide (ZnO), Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), Yedikule lettuce, Yield