As part of the V.B. Khristenko Grants Program, a team of students from the Department of Ecology and Chemical Engineering at the Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics has proposed a concept for next-generation foliar nanofertilizers and zinc-oxide-based seed nanopriming. The project is led by Artem Ugaev, a student of group ET-282, jointly with Eva Petrova, Dariia Lipukhina, and Semyon Dyomin (group ET-432). Their development is based on the use of nanooxide systems, designed to help crops cope with soil salinity, drought, and heavy metal contamination.
Conventional fertilizers are typically water-soluble salts, a large proportion of which are either washed away or become bound in the soil before plants can absorb them. The SUSU researchers propose treating seeds with a solution containing zinc oxide nanoparticles. Measuring as little as 30 nanometers in size, these particles can easily penetrate plant cells. Rather than simply supplying plants with zinc, the technology acts as a form of biological conditioning: mild stress induced by the nanoparticles activates the plant's natural defence mechanisms, making it more resilient to adverse environmental conditions.
“The principle is simple: what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Zinc oxide nanoparticles create a mild stress response in plant cells by triggering the formation of reactive oxygen species. In small amounts, these molecules act as alarm signals. The plant responds by activating its antioxidant enzymes and accelerating its metabolism. As a result, when real heat or drought arrives, the plant is already prepared,” explains Artem Ugaev.
A major focus of the research is protecting crops from lead contamination. Lead present in soil can accumulate in plants and eventually enter the human food chain. Instead of attempting to remove lead from contaminated soils—a practically impossible task—the new technology helps plants absorb less of the toxic metal. Zinc ions compete with lead ions for transport pathways into plant cells, while the nanoparticles stimulate the plant's detoxification mechanisms. Consequently, crops grown in contaminated soils accumulate significantly lower concentrations of lead while simultaneously containing higher levels of beneficial zinc, an essential nutrient for the human immune system.
The team of young scientists from SUSU, supervised by Tatiana Krupnova, Candidate of Sciences (Chemistry) and Associate Professor at the Department of Ecology and Chemical Engineering, is currently focusing on Grenada spring wheat and several pea varieties. Experimental results have demonstrated a clear correlation between nanoparticle treatment and improved stomatal function, higher seed germination rates, and stronger root development.
“For example, treating pea seeds with the optimal nanoparticle concentration increased germination energy by 53%, germination rate by 50%, and root length by 52% compared with untreated plants. The seedlings were noticeably more vigorous, emerged more uniformly, and produced healthier foliage with higher chlorophyll content, indicating more efficient photosynthesis,” says Artem Ugaev.
However, its successful application depends on a number of challenges. One of them is finding the right balance of concentration. Tests showed that a dosage of 2 g/L causes toxic stress, whereas the effective range lies between 10 and 250 mg/L, with the optimal concentration varying from one crop species to another.
Despite the challenges, the researchers believe their development will be of interest to large agricultural enterprises that cultivate large areas and are interested in yield stability. A second important segment is greenhouse owners, who can control conditions and maximize the effect. In the future, smaller consumer packages could become available for individual farmers and home gardeners.
The project aligns closely with global trends in agricultural nanotechnology. The researchers' next priority is to move from laboratory studies to field trials. If successful, the technology could not only strengthen Russia's agricultural sector but also become competitive internationally, contributing to high-tech import substitution while supporting the national priorities for advancing the chemical industry and developing new materials.
The project is being carried out under the V.B. Khristenko Step into the Future Grants Program. As part of the Priority 2030 university development program, the initiative provides annual funding for promising research, formation of personnel reserve, and implementation of unique educational programs that shape the strategic development of SUSU and the Chelyabinsk Region.