Nanofertilizers for enhancing nutrient use efficiency, crop productivity and economic returns in winter season crops of Rajasthan

Abstract

The results of 600 on-farm trials with 8 crops conducted during winter season in different districts of Rajasthan have proved that the quantity of urea being applied by the farmers to supply nitrogen to the crops can be successfully reduced to half. The yields obtained with 50% less nitrogen plus 2 sprays of nano-nitrogen in standing crops gave yields higher than that applied in most of the 8 crops tested in these trials. Apart from this, effect of the Nano-Zn and Nano-Cu was also evaluated. As the deficiencies of these micronutrients were not universal like nitrogen, the significant responses to these nanofertilizers depended on the magnitude of deficiency of specific micronutrients and the nature of the crops.These results clearly establish that with application of nanofertilizers, the nutrient use efficiency can be significantly enhanced as revealed by 50 per cent saving of urea through 2 sprays of Nano N.Nanofertilizers are considered as a novel approach towards saving of nutrients, in particular nitrogen, and protecting the environment.This paper describes the results of 600 on-farm trials conducted on 8 crops grown during winter season of 2019-20.