Green synthesis of binary FeOOH/Fe2O3 nanosized composite using Leucaena leucocephala seeds and their effect on mung bean under drought stress

Drought is widely acknowledged as one of the most important abiotic stresses affecting crop productivity worldwide. In this context, a green, facile and low-cost method using Leucaena leucocephala seeds extracts and iron sulfate was used to synthesize a a binary FeOOH/Fe2O3 nanosized composite (BFNC) and investigated it as a nanoprimer for mung bean cultivation under drought stress. A green and facile and low-cost method using Leucaena leucocephala seeds extracts and iron sulfate was used to synthesize the BFNC, which was characterized by XPS, FT-IR, UV-Vis, EDX, XRD, SEM, TEM, and Zeta potential analysis. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of seed priming with different aqueous BFNC solution (5, 10, 20 mg/L) for 6 h on mung bean under drought stress. Based on the binding energies at 712.28 eV in the Fe2p3/2 region and the distinguishing multiple shake up satellite structures, the XPS analysis revealed that iron was predominantly present in the Fe3+ oxidation state and the coexistence of FeOOH and Fe2O3 phases, forming a BFNC. The FT-IR results indicated that the BFNC was capped well with the plant extract. The SEM image showed a well-separated spherical nanoparticle morphology with asize range from 13 to 18 nm. The study findings revealed that seed priming with 5 mg/L BFNC was the most effective treatment for enhancing growth parameters and biochemical attributes of mung bean under drought stress. The use of the green-synthesized BFNC is a promising, and sustainable approach to mitigate the damaging effects of drought on agricultural crops. whereas the, seeds extract serves as an excellent oxidizing, caping and, stabilizing agent. However, as reported in most of the literature the green synthesis of iron based nanoparticles, utilized plant extract, as a bio reduction agent.This practice directly supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to climate action and ensuring global food security.