Effect of Nano Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Wheat

Abstract

A major factor affecting wheat crop production is the management of nutrients. The widespread application and limited success of present fertilizer management practices impact the economic and ecological expenses of agricultural production. Due to their unique features of reduced size, enhanced surface area, and reactivity, nano fertilizers can prove to be a viable alternative to the existing fertilizer management system. Furthermore, the nano fertilizers work effectively to increase protein content of wheat and chlorophyll contents while also reducing a variety of abiotic stresses. A field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2024-25 to evaluate the “Effect of nano fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of wheat”. The trial comprised with different thirteen treatments (T1: Control (No fertilizer treatment), T2: 100% RDN through chemical fertilizer (50% RDN basal + 25% at CRI and 25% at tillering), T3: 75% RDN through chemical fertilizer (50% RDN basal + 25% at CRI), T4: 50% RDN through chemical fertilizer as basal, T5: 100% RDN through nano (50% RDN basal + 25% at CRI and 25% at  tillering), T6: 75% RDN through nano (50% RDN basal + 25% at CRI), T7: 50% RDN through nano as basal, T8: 100% RDN through nano C (50% RDN basal + 25% at CRI and 25% at tillering), T9: 75% RDN through nano C (50% RDN basal + 25% at CRI), T10: 50% RDN through nano C as basal, T11: 50% RDN through chemical fertilizer + two spray of nano urea @ 4 ml/L at CRI and tillering, T12: 50% RDN through nano + two spray of nano urea @ 4 ml/L at CRI and tillering and T13: 50% RDN through nano C + two spray of nano urea @ 4 ml/L at CRI and tillering) with three replications in Randomized Block Design. The results revealed that different treatment affect significantly yield and yield attributes of wheat except grain per spike and 1000 grain weight. Significantly higher grain yield (5613 kg/ha) and straw yield (6695 kg/ha) was recorded by treatment 100% Recommended dose of nitrogen through chemical fertilizer (50% RDN basal + 25% at crown root initiation and 25% at tillering) (T2). Significantly higher plant height (96.33 cm), effective tillers per sq. meter (393), spike length (9.93 cm) and chlorophyll content (40.97) at 50 DAS by the treatment of 100% RDN through chemical fertilizer (50% RDN basal + 25% at CRI and 25% at tillering) (T2), while, the effect of different treatment on quality parameter was found significant. Protein content (11.44%), gluten content (27.43%) and hectoliter weight (83.30 kg/hl) of wheat was observed significantly higher with application of 100% RDN through chemical fertilizer (50% RDN basal + 25% at CRI and 25% at tillering) (T2).