Foliar Fertilizer Application Research Articles

Verification of Foliar Fertilizer (Magic K) to Improve Yield and Yield Related Traits of Tomato at Degem District, North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Soil productivity and crop yield are essential for sustainable food security and economic development. Optimizing the use of foliar application of liquid fertilizers, such as Magic K, may play a significant role in enhancing food production and income generation under increasing population pressure. This study, titled “Verification of the Effectiveness of Magic K Liquid and Recommended Inorganic Solid NPS Mineral Fertilizer on Tomato Production under Irrigated Agriculture at Degem District, North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia,” was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of Magic K liquid fertilizer, both alone and in combination with the recommended rate of NPS mineral fertilizer, using irrigation schemes in Degem District of North Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, during 2021. Four treatments—sole Magic K, sole recommended NPS, their combination, and a control (no fertilizer)—were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six farmers serving as replications. Agronomic data such as marketable, unmarketable, and total tomato fruit yield were collected and analyzed using Genstat software. Economic analysis was conducted using partial budget analysis. The Magic K treatment recorded the highest marginal rate of return (MRR = 72,011.11%), followed by the combined treatment of Magic K and NPS (MRR = 5,976.62%) with the highest net income (818,356.59 ETB/ha), and sole NPS application (MRR = 4,730.47%) with a net income of 734,791.59 ETB/ha. These findings suggest that the combined application of Magic K and NPS is both agronomically effective and economically viable for enhancing tomato production under irrigated agriculture in the study area.

The effect of foliar application of different potassium fertilizers on growth, quality, and yield properties of lettuce

In this study, the effects of different potassium (K) sources applied as foliar application on the growth, quality (plant root and shoot weight, plant root and shoot length, total and discarded leaf numbers, stem diameter, leaf area index), and yield (total and marketable) properties of lettuce were investigated. The experiments were conducted in a farmer’s field located in Ödemiş district of İzmir province (Türkiye), under the Mediterranean climate. The trials were set up using a randomized block design with five replications and repeated over two production seasons (2022 and 2023). Iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was used as the test material, and the treatments included a control group (no foliar application) alongside potassium sources such as Potassium Nitrate (KNO3, 46% K2O; 3 g/L per decare), Potassium Thiosulfate (25% K2O; 5.5 ml/L per decare), and Potassium Phosphite (25% K2O; 5.5 ml/L per decare). In both years, the experiments began in September and lasted 54 days in the first year and 58 days in the second. According to the research findings, potassium nitrate fertilizer had a significant impact on growth parameters in both years. The applications of potassium thiosulfate and potassium phosphite had comparable effects on growth and development. Plant height, shoot biomass, and total plant weight were found to be highest with potassium nitrate application in both years. Root length was highest with potassium phosphite application in both years. Yield was also highest with potassium nitrate application, reaching 3261 kg and 3306 kg per decare in the first and second years, respectively.

Do Foliar Fertilizers Promote Increased Productivity of Tropical Grasses?

Foliar fertilizers are low-cost agrochemicals used in pastures, and further research is needed regarding their impact on tropical grasses. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of foliar fertilization on the development of tropical grasses. Two experiments, consisting of five treatments and four replicates, were carried out. Each experiment was carried out using the following grasses: Zuri grass (Megathyrsus maximus Jacq. cv. Zuri) and ipypora grass (hybrid of Urochloa brizantha × Urochloa zizizensis). In each experiment, ten treatments were evaluated using a 2 × 5 factorial design with four replications. Treatments combined two soil fertilization strategies (with and without nitrogen) and five foliar fertilization strategies, which consisted of a control treatment without foliar fertilization and four application times: immediately after defoliation (0 leaves) and with 1, 2, and 3 expanded leaves. The grass height, tiller population density (TPD), leaf number (LN), forage dry mass (FDM), individual leaf mass (ILM) were evaluated. In the absence of soil fertilization, foliar fertilizer application had no effect on the development of the grasses (p > 0.05). Foliar fertilization did not affect the FDM of Ipyporã and Zuri grass under any of the conditions evaluated (p > 0.05). When applied in the soil fertilize with nitrogen, foliar fertilizer increased LN by 24% for two grasses (p < 0.05). For Zuri grass, foliar fertilization reduced individual leaf mass by 19% (p < 0.05). Thus, foliar fertilizer does not increase the productivity of tropical grasses, with small effects on the leaf’s appearance in Ipyporã and Zuri grass, without altering the forage mass, which necessitates new studies with agrochemicals, new doses, and concentrations of nitrogen.

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Intercropping and types of fertilizers may influence the productivity and quality of crops. An experiment was carried out to assess how chemical and biological fertilizers impact the yield and economic outcomes of safflower plants grown in monoculture and intercropped with fenugreek. Six fertilizer treatments, including no fertilizer (control); 100% soil test recommended nitrogen (N) in the form of urea; nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) solution spray; phosphorus biofertilizer (Barvar 2 phosphate) + 100% urea; Barvar 2 phosphate + 50% urea; and Barvar 2 phosphate + NPK spray, were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCB) with three replications. The results indicated that safflower monocultures fertilized with urea produced significantly higher grain (332.6 g/m²) and oil yield (85.18 g/m²) than intercropped plots. The Barvar 2 phosphate + NPK treatment in monoculture and the Barvar 2 phosphate + 100% recommended urea treatment in intercrop yielded the most seeds per unit area. The foliar application of NPK fertilizer resulted in the highest biological yield (966.7 g/m²) for sole safflower. Each intercropping pattern had a land equivalent ratio (LER) higher than one. During 2021 and 2022, the most effective treatments involved using Barvar 2 phosphate fertilizer with 100% urea (LER = 2.16), as well as Barvar 2 phosphate with 50% soil test recommended urea in mixed cultivation (LER = 2.7). Furthermore, the relative yield total (RVT) values exceeded one in the mixed cropping treatments that received Barvar 2 phosphate fertilizer with 50% urea. Finally, the results indicated that combining safflower and fenugreek planting with the application of chemical and biological fertilizers effectively increased grain yield, oil yield, and oil content in safflower plants. The findings of this study pave the way for future research to explore the long-term impacts of intercropping systems on soil health and biodiversity

Growth, nutritional and physiological responses of clonal dwarf cashew seedlings with foliar fertilization#

Foliar fertilization in the seedling production phase can increase growth and nutritional status, conferring greater vigor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the application of foliar fertilizers in dwarf cashew clones in the seedling production phase. The experimental design was completely randomized, in split-plots, with three sources of foliar fertilizers (Mega 10®, FH Attivus® and Master®) plus control (without foliar fertilizer) in the main plot and five clones of dwarf cashew (‘BRS 265’, ‘BRS 189’, BRS 226’, ‘CCP 76’ and ‘Embrapa 51’) in the subplots, with five replications. Each experimental unit consisted of three seedlings. Biometric components (plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area and dry mass of leaves, roots and stems), physiological variables (net photosynthetic rate, leaf transpiration rate and stomatal conductance to water vapor), photosynthetic pigments and SPAD index, and leaf contents of macro and micronutrients were evaluated. Non-fertilized plants showed lower gas exchange and photosynthetic pigment contents. Master® foliar fertilizer improved the physiological parameters and chlorophyll contents, while Mega 10® promoted an increase in the growth parameters. The most favorable linear combination was obtained with the application of Master® foliar fertilizer on the clone ‘BRS 265’.

Effect of Balanced Fertilization and Mulching on Growth, Yield and Economics of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) in Odisha, India

A front-line demonstration was carried out at different farmers’ field of Kandhamal district of Odisha to determine the effect of balanced fertilization and mulching on growth, yield and economics of chilli during 2022-23. The experiment was conducted under the international collaborative project on Resilience, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kandhamal, OUAT, Bhubaneswar. The demonstration was conducted at ten farmers’ field with three treatments viz., T1 : Farmer’s Practice (FYM @ 2 t ha-1 & N:P2O5:K2O::50:30:30 kg ha-1), without mulching, T2 : FYM @ 10 t ha-1 & N:P2O5:K2O @100:75:75 kg ha-1 , foliar application of water soluble fertilizer (19-19-19) and mulching with paddy straw @ 6 t ha-1 and T3: FYM @ 10 t ha-1 & N:P2O5:K2O @ 100:75:75 kg ha-1 , foliar application of water soluble fertilizer (19-19-19) and double coated (black on silver) polythene mulching. The results revealed that significantly higher growth parameters viz., plant height (89.6 cm), number of primary branches per plant (10.4) and plant spread (69.4 cm); yield attributes viz., number of fruits per plant (142.3), fruit length (6.41cm), fresh fruit weight (1.80 g), fruit dry weight (0.69 g ), fruit girth (2.73 cm) and fresh fruit yield (178.3 q ha-1) were observed with the treatment T3 (FYM 10 t ha-1,100% RDF, foliar application of water soluble fertilizer and polythene mulching) followed by T2 (FYM 10 t ha-1, 100% RDF, foliar application of water soluble fertilizer with paddy straw mulching @ 6 t ha-1). The highest number of weeds including grasses and broad leaf weeds (342.6 number of weeds m-2) was recorded in T1 (Farmer’s practice without mulching) plot followed by T2 (67.5 number of weeds m-2) and the lowest was in T3 (10.8 number of weeds m-2) indicating black polythene mulching was more effective than paddy straw mulching in suppressing weed growth. The treatments, received FYM 10 t ha-1,100% RDF, foliar spray with water soluble fertilizer and polythene mulching (T3) resulted in higher gross return of Rs. 4,45,750 ha-1, net return of Rs. 3,47,050 ha-1 and benefit: cost ratio of 4.5 as compared to T2 and T1. Hence, application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1, N:P2O5:K2O @ 100:75:75 kg ha-1, foliar application of water-soluble fertilizer and double coated (black on silver) polythene mulching enhanced the growth parameters, yield attributes, economic parameters and yield of chilli.

Foliar application of micronutrients and potassium in soybean crop

Foliar fertilization can improve plant nutrition and yield of soybean crops, especially in low-fertility sandy soils. This study investigated the agronomic efficiency of using micronutrient-based foliar fertilizers during the vegetative stage combined with potassium foliar fertilization during the reproductive stage on production components and grain yield of soybean crops in sandy soils of the Cerrado. The treatments consisted of the application of five micronutrient-based foliar fertilizers during the V4 vegetative stage [Big Red® (Cu), Maxi Zinc® (Zn), Supa Moly® (Mo), Boster® (Zn, Mo) and CMZ Infinity® (Cu, Mo, Zn)] in association or not with the application of the K-based foliar fertilizer Yantra® during the R3 reproductive stage. An additional treatment without foliar fertilizer application was used as a control. The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design in a 5 × 2 + 1 factorial scheme with four replications. The results showed that the application of foliar fertilizers containing Zn and Mo (Boster®) and Cu, Zn and Mo (CMZ Infinity®) are the best alternatives for use in soybean crops, as they result in greater plant height, height of first pod insertion, number of pods, total pod weight and higher grain yield, regardless of the association with K-based foliar fertilizer in the reproductive stage. The application of foliar fertilizers based on micronutrients and K had no impact on the thousand-grain mass of the soybean crop. The foliar application of K at the reproductive stage resulted in higher soybean grain yield when associated with the application of Zn (Maxi Zinc®) and Mo (Supa Moly®) at the vegetative stage.

Foliar application of nano NPK fertilizer improves physiological activities and essential oil production in Coleus aromaticus Benth. (Ajwain Patta)

Foliar application of nano NPK fertilizer improves physiological activities and essential oil production in Coleus aromaticus Benth. (Ajwain Patta)

Optimasi Konsentrasi Pupuk Daun Untuk Pertumbuhan dan Pengendalian Penyakit Curvularia Pada Bibit Kelapa Sawit

Fungal infections, such as those caused by Curvularia, can interfere with the vegetative growth and reduce the quality of oil palm seedlings, particularly in the main nursery phase. One solution to improve resistance to pathogens and support vegetative growth is by applying the right foliar fertilizer. This study aimed to determine the effect of Kenfolan foliar fertilizer application on vegetative growth and the level of Curvularia infection in oil palm seedlings during the main nursery phase. The study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments of Kenfolan fertilizer concentrations: 0 ml/L (P1), 1 ml/L (P2), 2 ml/L (P3), 3 ml/L (P4), and 4 ml/L (P5), each repeated three times. The parameters measured included seedling height, stem diameter, number of fronds, and the percentage of Curvularia infection. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 5% significance level. The results showed that treatment P4 (3 ml/L) provided the best vegetative growth, with seedling height reaching 40.07 cm, stem diameter of 1.58 cm, and an average of 4.25 fronds. Additionally, treatments P3 (2 ml/L) and P4 (3 ml/L) successfully suppressed Curvularia infection, with no infection found in these treatments. In contrast, treatment P1 (control) showed the highest infection level of 33%, while P5 (4 ml/L) increased the infection compared to P3 and P4. Based on the results, the application of Kenfolan foliar fertilizer at a dose of 3 ml/L (P4) was the most effective in improving vegetative growth and suppressing Curvularia infection in oil palm seedlings in the main nursery phase.

Performance evaluation of summer irrigated green gram (Vigna radiata L.) by combined application of basal nitrogen and foliar fertilization of nano urea

A field experiment was conducted at wetland farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during the summer season, 2022 to study the influence of integrated application of basal nitrogen and foliar feeding of nano and conventional urea on growth, physiology, yield parameters, yield and quality attributes of irrigated green gram. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with two factors viz, different basal nitrogen dose (N) and foliar supplementation of various concentration of nano and conventional urea at flower initiation (FI) stage and 15 days thereafter (F). There were four levels under each factor namely, N1 - 100 % RDN (Recommended Dose of Nitrogen) (25 kg N ha-1), N2 - 80 % RDN (20 kg N ha-1), N3 - 60 % RDN (15 kg N ha-1) and N4 - Nitrogen free control under factor I. Likewise, F1 - Nano urea @ 2 ml litre-1 of water, F2 - Nano urea @ 3 ml litre-1 of water, F3 - Nano urea @ 4 ml litre-1 of water and F4 - 1 % conventional urea under factor II. The experimental outcomes revealed that the treatment combination of 100 % RDN + foliar spray of nano urea @ 4 ml litre-1 of water at FI stage and 15 days thereafter significantly recorded superior values of plant height, leaf area index, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, nitrate reductase activity, fertility co-efficient, grain yield, protein content and protein yield. Nevertheless, it was on par with basal application of 80 % RDN + foliar nutrition of nano urea @ 4 ml litre-1 of water at FI stage and 15 days thereafter. Thus, adoption of 80 % RDN as basal dose integrated with foliar feeding of nano urea @ 4 ml litre-1 of water at FI stage and 15 days thereafter could be the viable integrated nitrogen management practice to enhance the performance of green gram under summer irrigated conditions.

Preparation and Application of Core-Shell Nanocarbon-Based Slow-Release Foliar Fertilizer.

The application of nanotechnology offers a promising solution to improve fertilizer utilization efficiency by mitigating the losses and volatilization of conventional fertilizers, contributing to sustainable agriculture. In this study, a core-shell nanocarbon-based slow-release foliar fertilizer (CN@mSiO2-NH2@Urea@PDA) was synthesized using nanocarbon (CN) as the core, amino-functionalized mesoporous silica (mSiO2-NH2) as the shell, and polydopamine (PDA) as the coating layer. BET analysis revealed a 3.5-fold and 1.9-fold reduction in material porosity after PDA encapsulation, confirming successful synthesis. The controlled-release performance was enhanced, with a 24% decrease in the release rate and a prolonged nutrient delivery duration. Hydrophobicity tests demonstrated a 20° increase in the contact angle, indicating improved adhesion. Seed germination assays validated biosafety, while field trials showed a 69.94% increase in the choy sum (Brassica rapa) yield, 21.64% higher nitrogen utilization efficiency, and 22.21% reduced nitrogen loss. The foliar application increased the plant nitrogen use efficiency by 18.37%. These findings highlight the potential of CN@mSiO2-NH2@Urea@PDA as an advanced foliar fertilizer, providing a strategic approach to promote nanomaterial applications in agriculture and enhance the acceptance of functional fertilizers among farmers.

Application of leri and foliar fertilizer on the growth of Phalaenopsis fuller’s pink stripe orchid seedlings after acclimatization

Abstract Rice water waste (leri) contains N, P, K, and vitamin B1 elements for fertilizer use. This research was conducted to obtain the appropriate frequency of rice washing water and foliar fertilizer application to promote the growth and development of Phalaenopsis Fuller’s Pink Stripe hybrid seedlings. The study was conducted in a non-factorial, Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of 10 treatments (without application, foliar fertilizer every 2 days, leri water every 2 days, foliar fertilizer 2 days + leri water 2 days after foliar fertilizer, foliar fertilizer every 4 days, leri water every 4 days, foliar fertilizer 4 days + leri water 2 days after foliar fertilizer, foliar fertilizer every 6 days, leri water every 6 days, and foliar fertilizer 6 days + water leri 2 days after foliar fertilizer) with 3 replications. There are 30 experimental plant units. Parameters observed were plant height, number of leaf, leaf length, leaf width, number of roots and root length. The result showed that applying foliar fertilizer every 4 days plus leri water 2 days after foliar fertilizer significantly affects the increase in plant height, number of leaves, number of roots, and root length.

Seed Quality of Soybean Depending on Cultivation Technology in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe

Аіm. To determine the impact of the studied agronomic practices, including variations in basic fertilization, foliar application of organo-mineral fertilizer during critical growth phases, pre-sowing seed treatment with a mycorrhiza-forming agent and a seed dressing agent, as well as their combination within the cultivation technology, on the quality of soybean seeds. Analyzing the patterns of seed quality formation will enable the identification of the optimal model for soybean cultivation technology and the development of measures to ensure the stable and maximum yield of crude protein and oil per hectare. Methods. Field experiments, laboratory analyses, analytical methods, mathematical and statistical techniques, and comparative-calculation approaches. Results. The article presents indicators of soybean seed quality, the intensity of protein and oil accumulation, and their yield per hectare under different cultivation technology variants, averaged over the years of research. Conclusions. The highest crude protein yield per unit area, amounting to 1.35 t/ha, and the intensity of crude protein accumulation in soybean seeds, at 12.27 kg/ha per day, were achieved using a cultivation technology that included seed treatment with a mycorrhiza-forming agent and a seed dressing agent, combined with foliar application of organo-mineral fertilizer during the budding phase on a background of N15P45K60+N30 application. This variant also demonstrated the maximum oil yield per unit area, reaching 0.82 t/ha, and the highest intensity of oil accumulation in seeds at 7.45 kg/ha per day. The maximum intensity of protein and oil accumulation in soybean seeds was obtained using a cultivation technology that included N15P45K60+N30 application, seed treatment with a mycorrhiza-forming agent and a seed dressing agent, and foliar application of organo-mineral fertilizer during the branching and budding phases. This approach increased the total intensity of protein and oil accumulation in seeds by 22.0% and 23.6%, respectively, raising the values to 19.37 and 19.63 kg/ha per day, compared to 15.88 kg/ha per day in the absolute control.

Foliar Application of Manganese-Zinc Fertilizer Mitigated the Harmful Effects of Cadmium on Wheat and Reduced Human Health Risks

In recent years, the problem of Cd (cadmium) contamination in cultivated soils has grown worse, endangering food security and human health and impeding agricultural sustainability. The application of foliar fertilizer can effectively prevent and control the accumulation of Cd in crops, but the related effects of foliar fertilizer application on the accumulation of Cd in wheat and the risk to human health are not clear. On the Cd-polluted farmland, five foliar fertilizers (multi-element compound fertilizer (Me), manganese-zinc micro-fertilizer (MZ), sodium dihydrogen phosphate (P), water-soluble organic fertilizer (WO) and foliar silicon fertilizer (Si)) and CK (the fresh water was used as the control) were sprayed on wheat at different growth periods (spraying once at the tillering stage and spraying twice at the tillering stage and the booting stage) to investigate the effects of foliar fertilizer on wheat yield and the content of Cd in grains and human health risks. The results showed that the application of five types of foliar fertilizers can lead to an increase in wheat yield, an inhibition of the transfer of cadmium to the edible parts of wheat, and a reduction in the human health risk (THQ). Compared with the CK (the fresh water was used as the control), the impact of Cd stress on the yield of spring wheat was alleviated by the MZ treatment, and the largest yield increase of 24.2% was achieved when MZ was sprayed once. When compared with one application, two applications of foliar fertilizers were shown to effectively reduce the content of Cd in the leaves, glumes, and grains of wheat, while increasing the content of Cd in the roots and stems. Among all foliar fertilizers, the cadmium content in wheat grains was most effectively decreased using MZ2 (spraying twice at the tillering stage and the booting stage), with a reduction of 36.6%. At the same time, the target hazard coefficient (THQ) of foliar spraying was reduced, and using two bouts of foliar fertilizer spraying was more effective in reducing the health risks. In conclusion, MZ fertilizer sprayed twice was a desirable choice for wheat, which was conducive to the safe production of wheat on Cd-contaminated farmland and for contributing to the sustainable development of agriculture.

Yield and Quality of Maize Grain in Response to Soil Fertilization with Silicon, Calcium, Magnesium, and Manganese and the Foliar Application of Silicon and Calcium: Preliminary Results

Climate change is forcing the search for innovative solutions to effectively reduce its harmful effects on food production. In addition, increasingly stringent regulations are being introduced in the European Union (the European Green Deal), mandating reductions in mineral fertilizer doses, which can reduce crop yields. One innovative technology could be soil fertilization and foliar application of Si-based fertilizers. A two-year field experiment (2023 and 2024), in commercial crop conditions in Kraski (52°2′42″ N, 18°54′6″ E), in Central Poland, studied the effect of differentiated soil fertilization and the foliar application of Si-based products on the yield and quality of maize grain at two levels of nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium (NPK) fertilization (100% and 50%). The soil fertilizer SiGS® (Si—200 g kg−1, Ca—181 g kg−1, Mg—46 g kg−1, and Mn—45 g kg−1) was applied to the soil at doses of 100, 300, and 500 kg ha−1, alone or with Barrier Si-Ca® (Si—336 g dm−3; Ca—207 g dm−3) foliar fertilizer (1 dm3 ha−1). The number of combinations assessed is 16. The effects were compared against the control treatment. The experiment evaluated plant physiological parameters, grain and dry matter yield, grain moisture content and quality (protein, fat, and starch content), and grain yield components. The highest grain yields were obtained with soil fertilization at a dose of 500 kg ha−1 (giving an increase of 17.5%), at a dose of 300 kg ha−1 plus foliar application (+16.4%), and at a dose of 500 kg ha−1 plus foliar application (+17.8%). The increase in grain yield in treatments with a half-rate of NPK was of a similar magnitude (on average, +11.9%) to the full rate (+12.6%) compared to the control treatments. Doubling the NPK rate contributed to an increase in grain yield of 7.8%. The applied fertilization had a significant and beneficial effect on the protein and fat content of the grain, while it reduced the starch content.

Temporal Variations in Photosynthesis and Leaf Element Contents of 'Marselan' Grapevines in Response to Foliar Fertilizer Application.

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of various foliar fertilization treatments on the growth of new shoots, photosynthetic characteristics of leaves, and mineral nutrient content in the leaves of 'Marselan' grapevines. Five distinct combinations of nano zero-valent iron (n ZVI), compound sodium nitrophenolate (CSN), and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) were administered through foliar application to 'Marselan' grapevines cultivated in the Wuwei region of the Hexi Corridor, with water spray serving as the control treatment. The results showed that T5 treatment (15 mg·L-1 n ZVI + 0.4 g·L-1 CSN + 2.5 g·L-1 KH2PO4) significantly increased the leaf area and SPAD value of 'Marselan' grapes; T4 treatment (15 mg·L-1 n ZVI + 0.4 g·L-1 CSN + 1.67 g·L-1 KH2PO4) significantly increased the internode length of new grape shoots. T5 treatment was favorable to increase the basic coarseness of new grape shoots, the net photosynthetic rate of the leaves, and stomatal conductance; leaf transpiration rate was the highest under the T4 and T5 treatments; T3 (15 mg·L-1 n ZVI + 0.4 g·L-1 CSN + 1.25 g·L-1 KH2PO4), T4, and T5 treatments could improve leaf initial fluorescence at different periods. At 45 days after flowering, the maximum photochemical efficiency under the T3 and T4 treatments reached the highest value throughout the period, and the T3 treatment improved leaf potential maximum quantum yield. Meanwhile, the leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content under the T5 treatment were the highest in the five periods. Additionally, the contents of potassium (K), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the leaves increased significantly under the T4 and T5 treatments. The following conclusions emerged from a comprehensive analysis: the T4 treatment was the best, and the T5 treatment was the second most effective.

Effect of Nano Fertilizers on Yield, Nutrient Uptake, Soil Nutrient Status and Fertilizer Use Efficiency of Bt Cotton

Aims: Foliar application of nano fertilizers aims to reduce the need for conventional fertilizers. Nano fertilizers enhanced crop growth, yield and quality by improving nutrient uptake. They enable precise nutrient delivery that aligns with the crop's growth stages, while their increased surface area facilitates faster metabolic reactions. This, in turn, boosts photosynthesis, leading to greater dry matter production and higher yields. Foliar application of nano fertilizers during the flowering, boll initiation and boll development stages meets the nutrient requirements of the plant, resulting in improved productivity and quality. By combining conventional fertilizers with nano fertilizers in a balanced manner, it is possible to achieve higher crop productivity in a sustainable way. Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2023 at AICRP on Cotton, Haradanahalli farm, Chamarajanagar. Study Design and Methodology: The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications comprising three levels of conventional fertilizers in main plot viz., 50%, 75% and 100% RDNP and four dosages of nano fertilizers in subplot viz., nano urea @ 2 ml L-1 and 4 ml L-1, nano DAP @ 2 ml L-1 4 ml L-1, respectively sprayed at 40, 60 and 80 DAS. Results: The results revealed that among different levels of conventional fertilizers, application of 100% RDNP noticed significantly higher total number of bolls (47.3 plant-1), good opened bolls (42.2 plant-1), seed cotton yield (1453 kg ha-1) and stalk yield (2562 kg ha-1). The same treatment recorded higher nutrient uptake (120.96, 37.27, 97.48 kg NPK ha-1, respectively). And soil nutrient availability (203.14, 57.66, 153.75 kg N P2O5 K2O ha-1, respectively). Significantly higher fertilizer use efficiency was noticed with 50% RDNP (15.86 kg N kg-1, 31.53 kg P kg-1), whereas higher potassium use efficiency was recorded in 100% RDNP (19.37 kg K kg-1). Among the nano fertilizers, application of nano DAP @ 4 ml L-1 at 40, 60 and 80 DAS resulted significantly higher total number of bolls (46.7 plant-1), good opened bolls (41.9 plant-1), seed cotton yield (1420 kg ha-1), stalk yield (2497 kg ha-1) and nutrient uptake (116.91, 37.37, 96.57 kg NPK ha-1, respectively), similar trend was observed with fertilizer use efficiency also. where, foliar spray of nano urea at 2 ml L-1 recorded higher available nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content in soil with 194.41, 54.48 and 152.48 kg ha-1, respectively.

Effects of Foliar Application of Potassium Fertilizer on Anatomical and Physiological Changes of Neosinocalamus affinis Leaves

Foliar fertilization, an effective strategy for enhancing crop yields, is relatively uncommon in bamboo cultivation. To investigate the impact of potassium fertilizer applied directly to bamboo leaves, we applied K2CO3 on the fresh leaves of 1-year-old Neosinocalamus affinis culms. The results indicated that potassium fertilization significantly promoted leaf growth and development, evidenced by thicker leaf and epidermal and mesophyll cells and increased areas of bulliform and fusoid cells. Additionally, the chlorophyll content rose, while the moisture levels declined. Notably, the soluble sugar, starch, and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) contents in the leaves also increased. Further analysis of the sugar metabolism revealed that the exogenous potassium application boosted the activities of key enzymes involved in sucrose metabolism, including soluble acid convertase (SAI), cell wall invertase (CWI), sucrose synthase (SuSy), and sucrose phosphate synthetase (SPS). The foliar application of K2CO3 also promoted starch synthesis in the leaves by elevating the activities of ADPG pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), soluble starch synthase (SSS), and granular-bound starch synthase (GBSS), while simultaneously diminishing the activities of starch phosphorylase (STP), α-amylase, and β-amylase. Moreover, the targeted application of K2CO3 significantly reduced the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and significantly enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), thereby improving the stress resistance of bamboo leaves. This study suggested that the foliar application of potassium fertilizer promoted leaf growth, enhanced bamboo’s sugar metabolism and storage, and increased the stress resistance of bamboo leaves.

Synergistic Effects of Nano-Silicon and IQ Combi on Yield Traits of Wheat under Saline Irrigation

Background: Salinization negatively affects plant growth and development, removing up to 1.5 million hectares of farmland from production annually. Objective: Evaluate the synergistic of Nano-fertilizers on yield traits of wheat Triticum aestivum below saline irrigation. Methodology: two factorial plot experiments were conducted during Autumn 2022 and 2023 in Diyala, IRAQ. The plants were irrigated every 18 days from planting with three NaCl irrigation levels: 0 (distilled water), 50, and 75 mM. A foliar application of nano fertilizer was sprayed after the third leaf appeared every 15 days, three times in total. Results: The salinity significantly decreased the yield component, biological yield, and harvest index, while the synergistic effects of (S), (Q), and (M) increased by 52.86%, 15.81%, and 18.84% in 2022 and 41.05%, 20.65% and 22.62 in 2023 growth season, respectively. Additionally, the most significant effects of the synergistic nano-fertilizer on catalase, peroxidase, and Proline under salinity were 23.84%, 70.00%, and 79.78% in 2022 and 24.50%, 73.33% and 74.36% in 2023, respectively. Conclusions: The application of nano-fertilizers enhanced yield parameters and increased the antioxidant enzymes as part of the plant's defense mechanism against oxidative stress. Over time, this response to developing salinity-tolerant wheat varieties with strong antioxidant defense systems.

Effects of foliar application of silicon fertilizer on the growth and heavy metal content of Glycine max (L.) Merr.

Abstract A field trial was conducted to investigate the effects of three different foliar silicon fertilizers, including Silicon-based cadmium-resistant foliar fertilizer, Algae silicon-based foliar fertilizer and Dunfenggui micro-nano-silicon microbial inoculant, on the growth agronomic traits, biological yield, heavy metal content in bean kernels and available heavy metal content in topsoil after harvest of Edamame (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) Results showed that: Compared with control treatment (spraying equal amount of water), spraying three different kinds of silicon fertilizer on leaf surface could increase the fresh weight of stem and leaf of soybean plant by 4.29%~21.27%, the fresh weight of Edamame shell by 2.87%~8.75%, and the fresh weight of soybean grain by 2.14%~10.36%. It increased the fresh yield of Edamame with shell by 2.62%~8.37% and that of Edamame by 2.14%~ 10.36%. The contents of Cr, Pb, As, Hg and Cd in Edamame seed were decreased by 64.42%~74.96%, 14.71%~63.97%, 30.77%~53.85%, 4.55%~9.09% and 0.00%~22.73%, respectively. The pH value, available contents of heavy metal, including Cr, Cd and As of soil in the plough layer after Edamame harvest, were decreased by 10.17%~13.56%, 50.00%~58.49%, 18.75%~21.25% and 1.37%~4.11%, respectively.