Biofortification and Enhancement in Nutrient Uptake in Maize (Zea mays L.) through the Foliar Application of Nanofertilizers

Abstract

Nanotechnology based biofortification may be the most sustainable solution to combat the nutrient deficiency in humans. Nanofertilizers due to their unique properties, serve as potential sources of nutrients for the biofortification of crops. A field experiment study was conducted during June- October in kharif 2020 with the aim to examine the effect of foliar application of nanofertilizers (N, Zn and Cu) on nutrient content and uptake by grain and stover of maize (Zea mays L.) crop at Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan. The present investigation was carried out in Randomized Block Design having 12 treatments which were replicated three times. The maize crop was treated either with conventional fertilizers or with the combination of nanofertilizers (N+Zn or N+Zn+Cu) or with both 50 % conventional plus nanofertilizers. The significantly highest nutrient (N, K, Zn and Cu) content and uptake by maize grain and stover was recorded under the combined application of 50% conventional plus nanofertilizers i.e.,T12 (100% PK + 50% NZn + two sprays of nano N + nano Zn + nano Cu) over control. However, the application of 100% PK + 50% NZn + two sprays of nano N + nano Zn + nano Cu (T12) remained statistically at par with 100% PK + 50% NZn + two sprays of nano N + nano Zn (T11) in N, K and Zn content and uptake by maize grain and stover. Whereas, the highest P content was found under control and highest P uptake was recorded with application of 100% NPK (T3). Thus, foliar application of 100% PK + 50% NZn + two sprays of nano N + nano Zn + nano Cu (T12) may be a viable option to increase the N, K, Zn and Cu content and uptake of by grain and stover of maize.