ZnO nanoparticle-based seed priming modulates early growth and enhances physio-biochemical and metabolic profiles of fragrant rice against cadmium toxicity.

Overall, application of ZnO NPs substantially improved the early growth and related physio-biochemical attributes in rice. Our findings provide new insights regarding the effects of ZnO NPs on seed germination, and early growth of rice, and its potential applications in developing crop resilience against Cd contaminated soils.