Evaluation of Zeolite Based Nitrogen Nano-fertilizers on Maize Growth, Yield and Quality on Inceptisols and Alfisols

Nano-fertilizer technology is designed to deliver nutrients in a regulated pattern in correspondence with the crop demand thereby nutrient use efficiency can be improved without associated ill-effects. This present study hypothesize that nano-zeolite possesses extensive surface area and its coating or blending with the conventional nitrogenous fertilizers can regulate the release of nitrogen. This serves as an excellent slow release fertilizer that assists in sustained release of nitrogen that commensurate with crop growth without associated environmental harm. The newly developed intercalated N nano-fertilizer formulations had been tested using maize as a model system. The fate of N in the soil system was examined in order to gain insights of nano-fertilizer in promoting productivity of crops with higher N use efficiency. Response of maize plants to the fabricated fertilizers were tested in two greenhouse experiments of two distinct soil textures (Inceptisol – Periyanayakkan palayam soil series – clay loam and Alfisols - Irugur soil series- sandy loam). The grain N content of nanozeourea on inceptisol (Control: 0.26%; Treated: 0.32%) and alfisols (Control 0.48; Treated 0.76%) were higher consistently. The response was more pronounced in alfisol than inceptisol. The growth, yield, quality and nutrient uptake were consistently higher for nanozeourea treatment than conventional urea.