Impact of nanomaterials engrafted urea on crop growth, yield and nutrient composition of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and physico-chemical and biological properties of soil
Loading...
Date
2021-09
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Synthesis of nanocomposites, characterization and pot culture studies were conducted to evaluate mesoporous nano silica (mNs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) based nanocomposites of urea on wheat crop on foot hill alluvial soils. This greenhouse experiment includes thirteen treatments consisted T1-Absolute control, T2-N30 (Urea) P60 K40 , T3-N60 (Urea) P60 K40 ,T4-N90 (Urea) P60 K40 , T5-N120 (Urea) P60 K40 , T6-N30 (Urea-mNs) P60 K40 , T7-N60 (Urea-mNs) P60 K40, T8-N90 (Urea-mNs) P60 K40, T9-N120 (Urea-mNs) P60 K40, T10-N30 (Urea-rGO) P60 K40, T11-N60 (Urea-rGO) P60 K40, T12-N90 (Urea-rGO) P60 K40 and T13-N120 (Urea-rGO) P60 K40 in completely randomized block design (CRD) with three replications. Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites conducted in Nanotechnology unit, College of Basic Science and Humanities, G.B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar and Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (Maharashtra) respectively. The characterization revealed successful synthesis of wanted nanocomposites through physicochemical dimensions with average particles size ranging between 20-50nm. Seed germination study showed that different exposure levels of urea nanocomposites recorded remarkable increase in seed germination. In germination study & green house experiment, application of 120 kg N/ha through ureamNs and 60 kg N/ha through urea-rGO showed maximum crop yields and nutrient uptake by wheat. Growth parameters, yield contributing characters, yields and nutrients uptake of wheat were significantly higher with application of urea-mNs @ 60, 90 and 120 kg N/ha and urea-rGO @ 30 and 60 kg N/ha over conventional fertilization (120 kg N/ha through urea). Application of 120 kg N/ha urea-mNs recorded 17 % and 15 % increase in grain and straw yield of wheat, respectively as compared to conventional fertilizer application of urea. Significant increase in available nitrogen in soil was observed with application of urea-mNs @ 60, 90 and 120 kg N/ha and urea-rGO @ 30 and 60 kg N/ha, similarly soil microbial population, bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were significantly higher with application of urea-mNs @ 60, 90 and 120 kg N/ha and urea-rGO @ 30 and 60 kg N/ha compared to conventional urea fertilization. In contrast, higher doses of nitrogen @ 90 and 120 kg N/ha applied through urea-rGO resulted in poor seed germination, growth, crop yields, nutrient uptake, available nutrients, microbial population and dehydrogenase activity in soil in comparison to the same doses of nitrogen applied through urea-mNs. Application of urea-mNs and urea-rGO @ 60 kg N/ha recorded statically at par grain and straw yield with 120 kg N/ha applied through urea. Thus use of nanomaterials for making nanocomposites of urea is helpful to increase crop productivity along with grain and soil quality and application of 60 kg N through nanocomposites can replace the urea application for 120 kg N/ha in wheat crops.