The Effectiveness of Foliar Nano Zinc Oxide Application on Nutrient Uptake and Quality of Wheat in Zinc Deficient Inceptisol

Abstract

Nanoparticles represent a class of materials whose properties are profoundly influenced by their ultra-small dimensions. Unlike their bulk counterparts, these particles exhibit enhanced reactivity, surface energy and mobility due to their exceptionally high surface area to volume ratio. They can be synthesized through a variety of approaches, ranging from mechanical and chemical techniques to biologically mediated processes. In agriculture, such nanoscale innovations offer promising avenues for improving nutrient delivery and soil health, thereby contributing to more sustainable and efficient farming systems. A field experiment was carried out during the rabi season of 2024–25 at the Post Graduate Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Pune to study the effect of foliar application of nano zinc oxide on growth, yield and quality of wheat cultivated in Inceptisol. Treatments included foliar sprays of nano-ZnO at concentrations of 300, 600, 900 and 1200 ppm, alongside a comparative treatment of EDTA-Zn at 1200 ppm, applied at 45 and 65 days after sowing. All treatments received the general recommended dose of fertilizers except for absolute control. The results revealed that the application of GRDF combined with 1200 ppm nano-ZnO foliar spray led to the highest uptake of macronutrients viz. nitrogen (160.37 kg ha-1), phosphorus (38.51 kg ha-1), and potassium (177.03 kg ha-1) as well as micronutrients including iron (1245 g ha-1), manganese (751 g ha-1), copper (50.07 g ha-1), and zinc (554 g ha-1). This treatment also significantly improved protein content (12.90 %) in grain and test weight (41.40 g) compared to other treatments. Overall, foliar application of nano-ZnO notably enhanced nutrient uptake, grain quality and soil nutrient status, while boosting wheat yield. These findings emphasized the potential of nano zinc oxide as a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional micronutrient fertilizers, particularly in zinc-deficient Inceptisol.