Swati Singh, Mukesh Kumar, P.K. Singh, Vivek, Adesh Singh, Satendra Kumar, Shipra Yadav, Praveen Kumar and Aparna Verma
Abstract
An experiment was conducted during the Rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25 at the Crop Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, to evaluate the effect of nanofertilizers on the nutrient content, uptake and quality parameters of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop. The experiment consisted of 10 treatments, replicated thrice in randomized block design (RBD) using wheat variety DBW-187. The different levels of the recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) and foliar application of nano-fertilizers at various stages of crop growth. Results revealed that the contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc, as well as their uptake in both grain and straw, were significantly influenced by the treatments and the lowest nutrient content and uptake was recorded in absolute control, while the 125% RDN combined with foliar application of nano-urea and nano-zinc produced the highest values for all nutrients which was found statistically at par with the application of 75% RDN + foliar application of nano urea + nano zinc @ 4 ml l-1 at tillering and jointing stage during both the years and statistically comparable to 100% RDN with soil-applied zinc, highlighting the potential of nano-fertilizers to reduce reliance on conventional fertilizers. Protein content and yield improved significantly with the application of higher nitrogen levels, contributing to better grain quality. The study concludes that the integration of nano urea and nano zinc with recommended or slightly higher nitrogen doses enhances nutrient content, uptake and protein quality of wheat, thereby improving nutrient use efficiency with sustainability of production.