Nano Fertilizers Research Articles

The effect of nano-foliar spraying with G-Power calcium, organic fertilizer, and spraying stages on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

The experiment took place during the spring season of 2022 AD. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of various concentrations of G-Power ca and spraying dates on the growth and yield of maize. The experimental design employed was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) arranged in a factorial order with three replications. The first factor examined was the different concentrations of the nano fertilizer G-Power ca, specifically at levels of 0, 2, 4, and 6 ml L-1. The second component encompassed three distinct time points for foliar application: spraying at 20 days post-planting, spraying at 40 days post-planting, and spraying at 60 days post-planting. The findings of the study indicate that the application of nano-foliar spraying of G-Power ca at a concentration of 6 ml L-1, two months after planting, resulted in considerably improved outcomes compared to other treatments. This treatment exhibited the highest average values for the characteristics under investigation. Each of the variables in the study possesses distinct characteristics, including plant height (measured in centimeters), leaf area (measured in square centimeters), average number of leaves per plant (measured as leaf.plant-1), average percentage of chlorophyll in the leaves (measured as spad), and total plant yield (measured in kilograms per hectare, denoted as kg.ha1-). These variables were observed and recorded sequentially, with corresponding values of 183, 4209, 14.50, 44.67, and 8012, respectively. Therefore, it can be inferred that the utilization of nano-fertilizers has a major impact on the vegetative characteristics of Maize, resulting in a notable enhancement of the aforementioned qualities

Impact of Nano-fertilizers and Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Strawberry

In the pursuit of enhancing agricultural practices, this research delves into the intricate interplay between nano-fertilizers, nutrient management strategies, and their collective impact on the growth and yield metrics of strawberries. The present research was carried out to ascertain the impact of nano-fertilizers (ZnO and FeO) and integrated nutrients management (Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) & Azotobacter) on strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) Cv. Winter Dawn. The results of present work showed different treatments of nano fertilizers and nutrients management has variable impact on strawberry growth such as treatment 7 (T7: 50% Recommended dose of fertilizer) + FYM + vermicompost + Azotobacter + 150 ppm nano-ZnO + 150 ppm nano-FeO) showed highest growth parameters regarding number of leaves (14), plant height (11.24 cm), leaf area (74.86 cm2) and chlorophyll content (52.41 μmol/m2) etc. compared with other treatments. However, treatment (T9: 50% RDF + FYM + vermicompost + Azotobacter + PSB + nano-ZnO + nano-FeO) indicated bit similar regarding number of leaves (13.33), plant height (11.96 cm), leaf area (74.08 cm2) and chlorophyll content (53.06 μmol/m2) etc. The biochemical parameters were also observed higher in treatment (T9). Considering above results, it can be concluded that the dose, i. e., 50% RDF along with FYM, vermicompost and Azotobactor + ZnO + FeO (150 ppm) could enhance growth and yield of strawberry.

Effect of Exogenous Application of Nano Fertilizers and Seaweeds Extract on the Growth, Yield, and Total Alkaloids Content of Hyoscyamus niger

The study was conducted at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad in 2022. It aimed to improve the growth of the European black Henbane plant (Hyoscyamus niger), leaf yield, and its content of the total alkaloids as effective medicinal secondary metabolite compounds by spraying with three levels of nano-nitrogen (N=46%) and three levels of nano-potassium (K = 50%)) is 1 gm L-1, 2 gm L-1, and 3 gm L-1, respectively, for each of these fertilizers, in addition to spraying with two levels of seaweed extract (Acadian) at a concentration of 2 and 3 ml L-1, respectively. The experiment carried out according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatment of spraying with Acadian marine extract at a concentration of 2 ml L-1 (A2) was significantly superior to the rest of the treatments in increasing the plant height (55.80 cm), the number of branches (9.62) branches plant-1), and the plant yield (4493) kg ha-1 as well as in increasing the dry weight of the plant. The results indicated that are no significant differences in Plant yield by spraying nano-nitrogen fertilizer at a concentration of 3 ml L-1 while spraying potassium nano-fertilizer was significantly superior to treatments K3 and K2 at a concentration of 3 g L-1, followed by a concentration of 2 g L-1. in the total chlorophyll content of leaves (56.00) and (58.95) respectively, compared to the other treatments, the control treatment showed the lowest dry weight of the plant (88 g), which was outperformed by all other treatments when spraying with nano-fertilizers or marine extract with both concentrations A1 and A2, as well as spraying with nitrogen nano-fertilizer for the different treatments increased the dry weight of the plant. As for the characteristic of total alkaloids, all treatments, except for the two treatments of spraying with nano-fertilizers N1 and K1, were significantly superior to the comparison treatment, which gave the lowest content of total alkaloids, 2.85%.

Effect of Spraying Nano Fertilizer NPK and Nano Fertilizer Microelements on the Growth Characteristics of Maize Plants (Zea May L.)

To find out the effect of spraying nano fertilizer NPK and nano-microelements and the interaction between them on the growth and yield of yellow corn cultivar (Al Maha), a factorial experiment was carried out during the spring season in 2021. The first factor (Nano NPK) included the addition of nano-fertilizer NPK 20:20:20 with four concentrations, F0, the comparison treatment (spraying with water only), the first concentration (F1) 1.0 gm L−1, the second concentration (F2) 2.0 gm L−1, concentration third (F3) 2.5 g L−1. While the second factor included the addition of nano micro elements fertilizer (IQ COMBI) containing (8% Fe, 1.5% Zn, and 1.5% Mn) with four concentrations, namely (M0), the comparison treatment (spraying with water only), the first concentration (M1) 1.0 gm L−1 The second concentration (M2) 2.0 gm L−1, the third concentration (M3) 2.5 gm L−1, the experiment included (16) experimental units for the workers and they were distributed randomly with three replications for each treatment to become (48) experimental units, as the least difference test was used Significant Least Significant Difference (LSD) in comparison of means at a probability level of 0.05. The interaction between the two factors of the study, which are NPK nano fertilizer and nano fertilizer of microelements, it gave the same significant superiority to the F3M2 treatment for all vegetative growth indicators, which included plant height with the highest rate of (218.00 cm), leaf area (61.60 cm2 plant−1), dry weight (270.26 gm), chlorophyll (56.32 SPAD).

Effect of Combinations of Chemical, Nano-Fertilizer and Bio-Fertilizer NPK on Yield and Quality Traits of some Bread Wheat Cultivars Triticum aestivum L.

A field experiment was conducted during the agricultural season 2022-2023 in the fields of the College of Agriculture - Al-Qasim Green University, located at latitude 32.33 north and longitude 42.45 east, in soil with a mixture of clay textures in order to study the effect of chemical and nano fertilizer NPK and bio-fertilizer on yield and quality traits of wheat cultivars. the bread. The experiment was applied according to split-plots arrangement using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Three cultivars of bread wheat occupied IPA-99, Bahouth-22 and Baghdad, and were given the symbols V1, V2, and V3 on the main plots, while fertilizer combinations occupied the sub plots, which are fully recommended compound fertilizer and fully recommended compound fertilizer + biofertilizer and compost. Full compound recommendation + nano fertilizer and 50% compound fertilizer only and 50% compound fertilizer + 50% biofertilizer and 50% compound fertilizer + 50% nanofertilizer and 50% complex fertilizer + 50% biofertilizer + 50% nanofertilizer and the codes were given F1 and F2 and F3, F4, F5, F6, and F7, respectively. The results of the study showed the superiority of cultivar IBA-99 over the other two cultivars by giving the highest average percentage of protein in grains and the ratio of wet and dry gluten, which amounted to 12.73%, 36.13% and 13.54%, respectively. Baghdad cultivar achieved a significantly excelled by giving the highest average of grain yield, biological yield and harvest index, which amounted to 4.60 tons ha-1 and 13.55 tons ha-1 and 33.04%, respectively. The plants treated with the fertilizer combination 50% compound fertilizer + 50% bio-fertilizer + 50% nano-fertilizer excelled in most of the studied traits (grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, protein percentage in grains, carbohydrates in grains, and the ratio of wet and dry gluten), which amounted to 5.15 tons ha-1 and 15.89 ton ha-1, 35.70%, 13.87%, 60.46%, 38.24%, and 14.71%, respectively.

Response of Wheat Cultivars to Combinations of Chemical, Bio and Nano Fertilizers and their Effect on Vegetative Growth Traits

Wheat cultivar response to chemical, bio, and nano fertilizer combinations and their effect on vegetative growth traits were investigated in a field experiment with three replicates arranged in a split-plot in The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) at Al-Qasim Green University during the 2022-2023 growing season. The main plots consisted of three different types of wheat, while the sub plots tested various fertilizer mixes. Wheat cultivars and fertilizer combinations both had a substantial effect on the attributes we measured, and there was also a significant interaction between the two, as shown in the analysis of variance table. The averages of wheat cultivars show that IPA 99 is superior to the other two cultivars by providing the tallest plants by an average of 104.21 cm, while Bohuth 22 provides the shortest times to 100% flowering (108.66 days) and physiological maturity (146.14 days). Baghdad variety yielded the highest mean The trait states that the flag leaf area is 42.94 cm2, the leaf chlorophyll concentration is 49.51 Spad, and there are 449.52 tillers per square meter. The average fertilizer combinations showed that plant height was best at 98.96 cm, flag leaf area at 44.47 cm2, leaf chlorophyll content at 50.08 Spad, and tiller density at 417.56 tillers m-2 with the fertilizer combination of 50% compound fertilizer + 50% bio-fertilizer + 50% nano-fertilizer. However, the optimal results were achieved using the specified fertilizer compound with nano fertilizer, which required only 109.88 days to achieve 100% blooming and 147.33 days to reach physiological maturity. With a mean flag leaf area of 47.73 cm2, the Baghdad cultivar emerged victorious in the study of cultivar by fertilizer combination interactions. When using a fertilizer mixture of 50% compound fertilizer, 50% bio-fertilizer, and 50% nano-fertilizer, the chlorophyll content of the leaves was 53.76 spad and the number of tillers was 470.67 strands m-2.

Growth and Yield Response of Several Cultivars of Wheat Triticum Aestivum L. to Spraying of NPK Nano Fertilizer

During the winter of 2021–2022, a field experiment was conducted in the fields of a farmer in Habbaniyah district, Anbar Governorate. ln order to investigate the effects of various nano-fertilizer (NPK) concentrations on specific growth and yield traits of several wheat cultivars. A Randomized complete block design was used with split plot arrangement and three replications, and the main plots included two concentrations of NPK (1, 2) g L−1 as well as the comparison treatment without spraying. As for the subplots included three cultivars of wheat (Chihan, Ibaa 99, Bora). The results showed Chihan cultivar plants excelled in all growth and yield characteristics except for the number of grains per spike, as no significant differences were observed in the mean of this trait. While the plants of this cultivar recorded the highest averages for the traits (plant height, flag leaf area, chlorophyll index, spike length, number of spikes, weight of 1000 grains, and grain yield) and reached 89.31 cm, 45.47 cm 2, 49.54 spads, 11.900 cm, 348.1 spikes, 42.44 gm and 7.865 Mg ha, respectively. The interaction between the various cultivars and nano fertilizer concentrations had a significant impact on the majority of the examined traits, which was reflected in the overall yield, with the Chihan cultivar plants producing the highest average grain yield of 10.935 Mg ha-1.

Efficacy of Mineral And Nano Fertilizers on Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet crop cv. Karam., (Beta vulgaris, L)

Efficacy of Mineral And Nano Fertilizers on Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet crop cv. Karam., (Beta vulgaris, L)

Effect of foliar spraying with Seaweed Extract (Chlorella vulgaris) and Nano fertilizers on growth, yield and fruit quality of Flame Seedless grapevines

Effect of foliar spraying with Seaweed Extract (Chlorella vulgaris) and Nano fertilizers on growth, yield and fruit quality of Flame Seedless grapevines

Response of Potato Cultivars to Nano-Fertilization Under Water Stress at Different Growth Stages

The experiment was conducted in the field of the Plant Production Techniques Department at the Technical College of Musayyib for autumn season of 2020. The experiment had three factors. First, four cultivars—Burren, Sifra, Arizona, Royal—were used (C1, C2, C3, C4). The second factor has four levels of water stress: no water stress, water stress during the germination stage from the date of planting to 30 days after planting, water stress during the vegetative growth stage from the end of the germination stage to 45 days after planting, and water stress during tuber formation from 45 to 60 days after planting. The third work sprayed three levels of nano fertilizer (khazra) (0, 1, 2) g. L-1 and its symbol (S0, S1, S2) according to the RCBD (Randomized complete block design) with three replicates and random transactions within each replicate. The probability-based Least Significant Difference (L.S.D) test assessed the results. 5%. The Burren cultivars had the highest plant height 57.70 cm and leaf number 48.00 leaves. Plant-1: leaf area 4389.90 cm2, fresh weight 312.67 g, dry weight 35.25. Stress during tuber formation (W3) and vegetative growth (W2) reduced most features in the first trial. The stress-free treatment (W0) had the highest vegetative growth, tuber, and chemical characteristics. Nano-fertilizer spraying at 2 g had a substantial effect.L-1 had the highest plant height 55.44 cm and leaf number 47.71 leaves. plant-1, leaf area 4329.72 cm2. Plant weight: 310.09 g, 35.87 g dry.

The Effect of Chelated Nano Zinc on Growth and Yield of Several Genotypes of Faba Bean Vicia faba L.

A field experiment was carried out in the Al-Hussay area in Al-Fallujah district, Anbar Governorate, located at latitude 33°N and longitude 43°E, during the winter growing season of 2021-2022. The experiment aimed to study the effect of two concentrations of chelated zinc nano fertilizer (0.5 and 1 g L−1) in addition to a control treatment sprayed with distilled water only, on the growth, yield, and its components of three genotypes of faba beans Vicia faba L. (local, Turkish, and Spanish). The experiment was conducted using a split-plot arrangement in randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D) with three replications, the number of experimental units was 27 units, and the main plots contained different concentrations of nano zinc fertilizer, and the genotypes occupied the subplots. The statistical analysis showed that the Spanish Genotype Superior in several characteristics, such as plant height, number of branches per plant, chlorophyll content in the leaves, number of seeds per pod, and seed yield (120.8 cm, 12.90 branches per plant, 42.11 SPAD, 6.17 seeds per pod, and 144.17 g plant−1) respectively. While, the Turkish Genotype Superior in the number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight, and biological yield (30.98 pods plant−1, 142.09 g, and 274.44 g plant−1) respectively.

Influence of Bio, Nano and Conventional Fertilizers on the Growth Features of a French Black Grape Variety

A French black grape cultivar was tested in a Babylon province/Al-Hamzah Al-Gharbi district private orchard using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) three-factor factorial configuration. The first is applying biofertilizer, which includes Bacillus megaterium and Mycorrhiza glomus fungus, to the soil at two concentrations (0 and 10 ml L-1), the second is applying liquid organic fertilizer at three concentrations (0, 15, and 30 ml L-1), and the third is applying organic fertilizer via foliar spraying. Nanofluid concentrations will be 0.1 and 3 ml L-1 in 2020 and 2021. Most biofertilization vegetative growth metrics showed that excelled in the leaf area per cluster was 9.42 cm cluster-1 in both seasons, while organic nano-fertilization at 3 ml L-1 boosted most vegetative growth indicators. Most vegetative development metrics responded significantly to bidirectional research parameter interactions, the bi-interaction between organic nano-fertilizer at a concentration of 3 ml L-1 and organic fertilizer at a concentration of 30 ml L-1 significantly affected the leaf area, the total leaf area, and the leaves’ content of total chlorophyll. 10 ml L-1 biofertilizer and 30 ml L-1 organic fertilizer achieved the heist values in leaf area, total leaf area, and leaf content. The interaction between the bio fertilizer at a dosage of 10 ml L-1 and the organic nano fertilizer at a concentration of 3 ml L-1 considerably altered the content of total chlorophyll in leaves.

Exploring the Impact of Metal-Based Nanofertilizers: A Case Study on Sunflower Pollen Morphology and Yield in Field Conditions

On a daily basis, a wide range of materials including inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) inadvertently find their way into the environment. Meanwhile, intentionally used NPs, such as the new generation of nanofertilizers (NFs) are designed to enhance agronomic production. However, their physicochemical properties and not-so-well understood effects raise potential risks to the plant reproductive cycle, specifically pollen development, a subject largely absent in academic research. Even slight contamination, deformation, or aberration of pollen could have enormous impacts on the ecosystem. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the influence of various metal-based NPs on sunflower pollen morphology and its yield. Nano-formulations were applied during the 2019–2021 agronomic seasons on two sunflower hybrids, Neostar and Edison, in Dolná Malanta, near Nitra, Slovak Republic. Pollen morphology findings indicated that conventional ZnSO4 had the most positive impact on the size of pollen grains compared to ZnO-NPs, Fe3O4-NPs, and the NP-free control. Gold-NPs on SiO2 mesoporous silica (AuSi-NPs) showed a statistically insignificant impact, while the use of TiO2-NPs in agriculture remained a topic of debate. Surprisingly, pollen characteristics did not fully correspond to crop yields. Despite causing a reduction in pollen grain size, the TiO2-NPs consistently showed the highest yield compared to other variants. Employing low concentrations of NFs did not notably alter pollen morphology, reinforcing our commitment to eco-friendly, precise, and sustainable agriculture.

KONSENTRASI FOLIAR SPRAYING PUPUK BERTEKNOLOGI NANO DAN MEDIA TANAM PADA PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL TANAMAN ZUKINI (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a member of the Cucurbitaceae group that is of interest to the public because it has high economic value. However, there are obstacles to cultivation, one way to overcome them is by using nano technology fertilizer and planting media. The aim of this research was to find out the interaction between doses of nanote chnology compound fertilizer and planting media on the growth and yield of zucchini plants (Cucurbita pepo L.). The research method used was a Factorial Randomized Block Design with two factors. First factor: concentration of compound fertilizer with nano technology (P) which consists of 4 levels, namely: P0: control (without application of nano technology fertilizer) P1: concentration of nano fertilizer 5 ml/L P2: concentration of nano fertilizer 10 ml/L P3: concentration of fertilizer nano 15 ml/L Second factor: the composition of the planting medium which consists of 3 levels, namely: M1: Husk charcoal: cocopeat: vermicompost (1:1:1) M2: Husk charcoal: cocopeat: vermicompost (1:1:2) M3: Husk charcoal: cocopeat: vermicompost (1:1:3) Variables observed were plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), flowering time (DAT), fruit diameter (cm), fruit weight (grams) and fruit length (cm ). From the research results it can be concluded that there is a real interaction in the treatment of nano fertilizer and planting media. The best combination was seen in the application of 10 ml/L nano fertilizer and husk charcoal planting media: cocopeat : vermicompost (1:1:3) (P2M3), at a plant height of 18.96 cm, stem diameter of 1.169, fruit weight of 630 grams, fruit length 43.50 cm and fruit diameter 75.66 cm.

Revolutionizing Agriculture: Nano Fertilizers for Sustainable Crop Improvement

The abundant metalloid element silicon (Si) is present in the crust of the Earth and is important for improving many aspects of plant characteristics. The potential of silicon in agriculture is examined in this article with particular attention to how it affects crop improvement, stress management, and plant growth. Under certain pH circumstances, plant roots absorb orthosilicic acid, the form of silicon that is accessible to plants in soil. The benefits of Si application, including improved vegetative growth, development, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, have been demonstrated by numerous studies. Additionally, silica plays a role in decreased transpiration, enhanced photosynthesis, and UV-B radiation protection. Agricultural crops encounter a multitude of difficulties, such as pathogens, pests, drought, flooding, salinity, and metal toxicity, which are frequently intensified by inadequate silicon availability in soils. To remedy this deficiency, si fertilizers are used, which improves plant function. It is further important to fertilize with Si because certain crops actively accumulate Si in their tissues. Applications of Si take into account the fertility of the soil, the amount of moisture present, and the uptake of nutrients, resulting in enhanced growth, productivity, and resilience to stress. Si increases stem strength, stress tolerance, and lodging resistance, for instance, in rice. Moreover, silica boosts water use efficiency in drought-stricken maize and modifies proline levels in upland rice in response to water restrictions. Eventually, Si-based compounds have a great deal of promise to improve crop yield and solve the problems facing contemporary agriculture. The numerous advantages of applying Si in supporting resilient and sustainable agriculture are highlighted in this review.

Toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles on agriculturally important soil rhizobacteria Bacillus megaterium

Copper oxide nanoparticles are an integral part of modern agrochemical industries, such as pesticides and nano fertilizers. It has been extensively reviewed and reported that the interaction of nanoparticles with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) may be toxic due to their accumulation in the soil and may remain in contact for a long time which causes a negative impact on the soil microbial community. The study presented here, investigates the impact of the copper oxide nanoparticles on the isolated PGPR species Bacillius megaterium AGNTL MM7 in invitro conditions. We observed that the formation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) at ¼ of Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of CuO nanoparticles resulted in a decrease in the Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) production (83.02 μg/ml) as the marker of the nanoparticles mediated stress on the Bacillus megaterium AGNTL MM7. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay was observed at 4 mg/ml. The solubility of CuO nanoparticles was 0.014% and the Nanotracking analyzer estimated the mean average size 188 nm in a liquid medium such as water. Transmission Electron Microscopic (TEM) studies observed that the concentration of 1 mg/ml nanoparticles showed a strong affinity with cell envelope and caused a significant negative impact on the microorganism, resulting in 58% inhibition in IAA production was observed in comparison to the control i.e., 197.8 μg/ml. The flow cytometric analysis also significantly validated the toxicity at the same concentration.

Nano-Fertilization of Phosphorous and Potassium, Spraying Sepehr 4 Nano-Fertilizer and Carbon Nanotubes on some Qualitative Traits and Active Substances in the Grains of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The study aimed to investigate the response of rice crop (Oryza satival L.), local variety Anbar 33, to nano-phosphorus and nano-potassium, spraying with carbon nanotubes and synthetic nano fertilizer Sepehr 4 (K+Fe+Zn+Mn). Some indicators of rice grains traits were used to evaluate the response. The field experiment was conducted in Al-Taliaah district 41-Al-Husseiniyah in the southern pater of Babylon Governorate - Iraq. The experiment was carried out according to the Randomized Complete Blocks Design (RCBD), and the treatments were randomly distributed according to a straightforward one-way experiment. Phosphorus nano fertilizer at two levels 0 and 10 kg ha-1 and potassium nano fertilizer at two levels 0 and 10 kg ha-1, and the treatments of nanomaterials of carbon nanotubes 50 mg L-1 and Sepehr 4 fertilizer (K+Fe)+Zn+Mn, 2.5 ml L-1 it was sprayed on the shoots of plants. The applications were conducted four times of nanomaterials with combinations of foliar sprays and ground additives to the soil, so that the number of treatments is sixteen, with three repetitions. The results of the gas chromatograph coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) presented that the treatment of N-K + (CNT) + Nano(K + Fe + Zn + Mn) potassium nano fertilizer, carbon nanotubes spraying and Sepehr 4 fertilizer K + Fe + Zn + Mn resulted in the highest percentage of the saturated fatty acid content of rice grains 2.16% and volatile oils 6.82%. The treatment of N-(P+K)+N-(K+Fe+Zn+Mn) phosphorus and potassium nano fertilizer and Sepehr 4 fertilizer resulted in the highest value in the content of palmitic acid, 26.41% in rice grains. The treatment of N-(P+K)+(CNT) +N-(IIII) phosphorus and potassium nano fertilizer and spraying carbon nanotubes fertilizer and Sepehr 4 fertilizer resulted in the highest content of rice grains of unsaturated oleic acid, 3.95%. N-K+ (CNT) Potassium nano fertilizer and carbon nanotube fertilizer spraying resulted in the highest value of rice grains’ unsaturated linoleic acid content, 6.94%.

Chitosan zinc nanocomposite: A promising slow releasing zinc nano fertilizer

In the present era, zinc deficiency in agricultural soil is a globally widespread issue and it results in depressed plant growth and food grains with less nutrition. Consumption of such zinc-deficient diets may lead to many lifestyle diseases in humans. Sustained nutrient availability from conventional fertilizers is one of the challenges being faced in the agricultural sector. Nano fertilizers are a promising area for the fertilizer industry with a huge potential to improve nutrient retention for optimal growth. We herein report the synthesis of zinc nanocomposite utilizing chitosan, a nature-derived biopolymer as a nutrient carrier to sustain crop production. It was prepared by ionic gelation method using sodium tripolyphosphate as cross-linking agent. The morphology and the hybrid nature of the new nanocomposite were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy(FE-SEM), EDAX, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and FT-IR spectroscopy. Results from the atomic absorption spectrum after soil percolation studies reveal the release of zinc nutrients in a controlled manner as compared to conventional zinc fertilizer. This indicates that a chitosan-based composite could be a viable alternative method to be used as a nanocarrier for nutrients in agronomic biofortification.

Development and testing of environment friendly nanohybrid coatings for sustainable agriculture technologies

Less than 50% of the applied urea fertilizer is taken up by plants due to poor nitrogen (N) use efficiency which affects overall agricultural productivity and leads to serious environmental and economic problems. Additionally, soils with high salinity might limit zinc (Zn) availability. Low Zn use efficiency (<30%) when applied as synthetic salts, e.g., zinc sulfate has therefore minimized their applicability. Within the past two decades, nanotechnology has gained a lot of interest in the development of effective nano fertilizers with high nutrient use efficiency (NUE). In this perspective, the approach of coating conventional fertilizers with nano materials especially, the ones which are essential nutrients has researched because of their high use efficiency and reduced losses. In this work, a novel and innovative formulation of hybrid nano fertilizer has been prepared for the sustainable release of nutrients. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs <50 nm) were incorporated into the biodegradable polymer (gelatin) and coated on urea using a fluidized bed coater. Among all the formulations, GZnSNPs (1.5% gelatin+0.5% elemental Zn as ZnO-NPs) showed a significant delay in urea release (<80 %) after 120 min). The sand column experiment showed sustainable Zn release for GZnSNPs i.e., 2.7 ppm vs. 3.5 ppm (GZnS) after the 6th day. Moreover, a substantial increase in wheat grain yield (6500 kg/ha), N uptake (46.5 kg/ha) and Zn uptake (21.64 g/ha) were observed for fields amended with GZnSNPs. The composition of GZnSNPs was valuable since this attracted the highest return relative to the other treatments. Gelatin supplied small N-containing molecules, resulting in extra value addition with ZnO-NPs thus increasing yield and fertilizer properties more relative to the same amount of elemental Zn given via bulk salt. Therefore, the findings of the current study recommend the use of ZnO-NPs in the agricultural sector without any negative effects on yield and NUE.

Development and Evaluation of Zinc and Iron Nanoparticles Functionalized with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Microalgae for Their Application as Bio-Nanofertilizers.

Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread and growing global concerns. Nanoscale nutrients present higher absorption rates and improved nutrient availability and nutrient use efficiency. Co-application of nanofertilizers (NFs) with biological agents or organic compounds increases NF biocompatibility, stability, and efficacy. This study aimed to develop and evaluate zinc and iron bio-nanofertilizers formulated with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and microalgae. Nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized with the co-precipitation method and functionalized with Pseudomonas species and Spirulina platensis preparation. NPs were characterized and evaluated on seed germination, soil microbial growth, and early plant response under seedbed conditions. NPs corresponded to zinc oxide (ZnO; 77 nm) and maghemite (γ-Fe2O3; 68 nm). Functionalized nanoparticles showed larger sizes, around 145-233 nm. The seedling vigor index of tomato and maize was significantly increased (32.9-46.1%) by bacteria-functionalized ZnO- and γ-Fe2O3-NPs at 75 ppm. NFs at 250 and 75 ppm significantly increased bacterial growth. NFs also improved early plant growth by increasing plant height (14-44%), leaf diameter (22-47%), and fresh weight (46-119%) in broccoli and radish, which were mainly influenced by bacteria capped ZnO- and γ-Fe2O3-NPs at 250 ppm. Beneficial effects on plant growth can be attributed to the synergistic interaction of the biological components and the zinc and iron NPs in the bio-nanofertilizers.