Response of Different Level of Nitrogen and Foliar Application of Nano Zinc on Physico-chemical Properties of Soil in Wheat (Triticum aestivum. L) Var. PWB-373

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the of 2023-24 at the Research Farm, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, to investigate the Response of different levels of Nitrogen and Foliar application of nano zinc on Soil Health and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). We designed the experiment using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 10 treatments and three replications. Results indicated that the application of nano fertilizers significantly influenced various soil physico chemical properties. Bulk density was 1.27Mg m⁻³ to 1.31 Mg m⁻³ at 0-15 cm soil depth, and 1.29 to 1.32 Mg m⁻³ at 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depth. Particle density was 2.65 to 2.67 Mg m⁻³ at 0-15 cm depth, and from 2.60 to 2.62 Mg m⁻³ at 15-30 cm depth. Pore space was 47.09% to 48.99% at 0-15 cm depth and 47.09% and 48.84% at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depth. Water holding capacity varied between 45.22% and 46.64% at 0-15 cm depth, and 45.14% and 46.89% at 15-30 cm depth. Soil pH was 6.98 to 7.04 at 0-15 cm depth and from 7.00 to 7.05 at 15-30 cm depth. Electrical conductivity (EC) was 0.13 dS m⁻¹ to 0.19 dS m⁻¹ at 0-15 cm depth, and from 0.13 dS m⁻¹ to 0.19 dS m⁻¹ at 15-30 cm depth. Organic carbon content was 0.423%-0.493% at 0-15 cm depth and 0.261% to 0.334% at 15-30 cm depth. The use of NPK and nano zinc also significantly influenced the availability of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. These findings suggest that nano fertilizers can effectively enhance soil health and wheat productivity.