AI Article Synopsis

  • The study investigates the effects of combining nano-fertilizers with conventional fertilizers on soil microbial structure and crop yield in a wheat-maize system, aiming to improve nutrient efficiency.
  • Results show that using 75% of the recommended nitrogen combined with full phosphorus and potassium via conventional methods, along with nano-urea or nano-zinc sprays, can achieve similar grain yields as the full recommended dose.
  • The application of nano-fertilizers boosted soil microbial diversity and certain beneficial microbial groups, suggesting that integrating nano and conventional fertilizers is an effective strategy for sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing soil health.

Article Abstract

The growing popularity of nano-fertilization around the world for enhancing yield and nutrient use efficiency has been realized, however its influence on soil microbial structure is not fully understood. The purpose of carrying out this study was to assess the combined effect of nano and conventional fertilizers on the soil biological indicators and crop yield in a wheat-maize system. The results indicate that the at par grain yield of wheat and maize was obtained with application of 75% of recommended nitrogen (N) with full dose of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) through conventional fertilizers along with nano-N (nano-urea) or nano-N plus nano-Zn sprays and NPK i.e. business as usual (recommended dose of fertilizer). Important soil microbial property like microbial biomass carbon was found statistically similar with nano fertilizer-based management (NPK + nano-N, and NPK + nano-N + nano-Zn) and conventional management (NPK), during both wheat and maize seasons. The experimental data indicated that the application of foliar spray of nano-fertilizers along with 75% N as basal is a sustainable nutrient management approach with respect to growth, yield and rhizosphere biological activity. Furthermore, two foliar sprays of nano-N or nano-N + nano-Zn curtailed N requirement by 25%, furthermore enhanced soil microbial diversity and the microbial community structure. The specific microbial groups, including Actinobacteria, Bacteroidia, and Proteobacteria, were present in abundance and were positively correlated with wheat and maize yield and soil microbial biomass carbon. Thus, one of the best nutrient management approaches for sustaining productivity and maintaining sound microbial diversity in wheat-maize rotation is the combined use of nano-fertilizers and conventional fertilizers.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10784562PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48951-3DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

soil microbial
16
conventional fertilizers
12
wheat maize
12
microbial community
8
community structure
8
wheat-maize system
8
microbial
8
microbial biomass
8
biomass carbon
8
nutrient management
8

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!