The Efficacy of Nano Fertilizer on Yield and Physico-chemical Quality of Okra Fruit

Abstract

The study assessed the effects of nano urea, Tio2, and ZnO nanoparticles on fruit yield and morphological as well as biochemical qualities of okra fruit (cv. Kashi Lalima) grown under subtropical climate of lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India during the Zaid seasons of 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 which had high soil pH (8.2). There were 17 treatments consisting of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%) along with application of Nano urea (2 ml/l, 4 ml/l, and 6 ml/l), TiO2 NPs (10, 15, and 20 ppm), and ZnO NPs (50, 75, and 100 ppm) and control (no fertilizer) having 3 replications following randomized block design with 51 plots (1.8 m × 1.2 m). (morning glory) leaf liquid extract was used to create TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles in an eco-friendly manner and Nano urea was obtained from IFFCO. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, HRTEM, EDX, BET, X-ray diffraction and XPS at the Department of Chemistry and the University Scientific Instrumentation Centre (USIC). Recorded observations indicated that foliar application of 75% RDF + 2 ml/l Nano urea + 50 ppm ZnO NPs produced the highest yield (159.81q/ha). These treatments also showed better fruit quality in term of fruit length (13.19 cm), fruit width (1.72cm), average fruit weight (10.61 g), moisture content (82.87%), total soluble solids (6.61°Brix), It also increased the dry weight (17.13%) of fruit as compare to control (11.43%). However, the biochemical attributes of okra fruits, including total sugars (4.15%), vitamin C content (18.21 mg/100 g) were examined and found to be superior with the application of 75% RDF + 2 ml/l Nano urea + 10 ppm TiO2.