Relative Performance of Urea and Nano-urea in Conjunction with Zinc Fertilization on Growth, Productivity, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Spring Wheat

Nano-fertilizers possess a substantial promise in modern agriculture for nutrient utilization efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. However, limited information exists regarding the relative performance of nano-urea, and urea with nano-zinc or other zinc (Zn) fertilization strategies. A tw...

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Published in:Journal of soil science and plant nutrition 2024-06, Vol.24 (2), p.3593-3609
Main Authors: Reddy, Kadapa Sreenivasa, Shivay, Yashbir Singh, Kumar, Dinesh, Pooniya, Vijay, Prasanna, Radha, Shrivastava, Manoj, Mandi, Sunil, Nayak, Somanath, Baral, Kirttiranjan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural production
Agriculture
Agrochemicals
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Crop yield
Ecology
Efficiency
Environment
Environmental impact
Experiments
Fertilization
Fertilizers
Foliar applications
Grain
Information processing
Inoculation
Life Sciences
Microorganisms
Nanotechnology
Nitrogen
Nutrient utilization
Nutrients
Original Paper
Plant Sciences
Potassium
Productivity
Rice
Soil Science & Conservation
Sprays
Spring wheat
Straw
Urea
Ureas
Wheat
Zinc
Zinc oxide
Zinc oxides
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Summary:Nano-fertilizers possess a substantial promise in modern agriculture for nutrient utilization efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. However, limited information exists regarding the relative performance of nano-urea, and urea with nano-zinc or other zinc (Zn) fertilization strategies. A two-year (winter seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23) field experiment was carried out through a split-plot design to evaluate the efficacy of combined effects of nitrogen (N) sources: urea ± nano-urea, microbial inoculation and Zn fertilization, particularly, nano-urea and zinc in terms of growth, yield, nitrogen uptake, and use efficiencies of wheat. In 2021–22 and 2022–23, the application of N 130 kg ha −1 increased wheat grain yield by 23.2% and 33.1%, respectively compared to the control plot. In contrast, employing 97.5 kg ha −1 and 65 kg ha −1 of N along with two foliar sprays of nano-urea at the rate of 2.5 l ha −1 reduced yields by 3.4–7.8%, 6.8–12.4% in both years of the study in comparison to N 130 kg ha −1 . Foliar spray of 0.1% nano-ZnO at maximum tillering, anthesis, and grain filling stages enhanced yield by 3.7–4.5% when compared to no Zn. Nitrogen uptake ranged from 101.8–110.5 kg ha −1 in grain and 49.1–52.0 kg ha −1 in straw with N 130 kg ha −1 . When N levels were reduced to 97.5 kg ha −1  + Nano-N and 65 kg ha −1  + Nano-N decreased uptake in grain by 6.6–10.6% and 17.8–23.6%, respectively. Further, foliar sprays of 0.1% nano-ZnO increased N uptake by 7.2–8.1 kg ha −1 compared to plots without zinc application in both years. Among N sources, the application of N 130 kg ha −1 has resulted in improved yields, N content and uptake. Within Zn fertilization, the application of 0.1% nano-ZnO foliar spray resulted in increased wheat yields and nitrogen uptake. However, using 50% of the recommended nitrogen (N 65 kg ha −1 ) with two foliar applications of nano-urea at the rate of 2.5 l ha −1 reduced the grain yields to the tune of 7.8–12.4% due to inadequate nitrogen content. Nano-urea has failed to fulfill the N demand required for increasing the wheat yield and needs comprehensive validation. In conclusion, it is recommended to apply 130 kg N ha −1 in three splits along with 0.1% foliar sprays of nano-Zn oxide during the maximum tillering, anthesis, and grain filling stages for enhancing grain and straw yields, as well as improving nitrogen content, uptake and its efficiency.
ISSN:0718-9508
0718-9516
DOI:10.1007/s42729-024-01780-3