The effect of a fertilizer derived from plant seed extracts on tomato plants in Diyala Governorate with nanometric zinc oxide (ZnO)

Abstract

Biochar is a compound that was extracted from orang seeds with good purity using a combustion process, where the entire seed was burnt at a high temperature, then crushed and turned into powder. Infrared, ultraviolet, and GC-MS analyses were performed on it. along with other physical properties such as color and solubility. Additionally, nanosized zinc oxide was prepared beforehand. A study was conducted on it at the nursery of the College of Education for Pure Sciences/University of Diyala, from 20/2/2025 to 25/4/2025, to examine the effect of fertilization with biochar on some growth characteristics of tomato plants. The results indicated that fertilization with 150 mg/L of nanosized zinc oxide yielded the highest averages in all traits, including plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, and leaf chlorophyll content, which were 26.2 cm, 10.867 g, 6.600 g, and 76.733 SPAD units, respectively.