Study on Nano-Zn, Inorganic, and Organic Nutrient Management Practices and Their Impact on Nutrient Availability in Kharif Maize (Zea mays L.)
Shikhar Verma *
Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
D. D. Yadav
Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
V. K. Verma
Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
M. Z. Siddiqui
Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Ravindra Kumar
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Sarvesh Kumar
Department of Soil Conservation and Water Management, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Shravan Kumar Maurya
Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Mandeep Kumar
Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A study was conducted to assess the impact of Nano-Zn, inorganic, and organic nutrient management practices on the physico-chemical properties and nutrient availability in Kharif maize (Zea mays L.) grown during 2022 and 2023 at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur. The experiment followed a split-plot design, with organic manures (Control, FYM at 10 t/ha, and Vermicompost at 5 t/ha) as the main plot treatments and various nutrient management strategies (Control, 75% RDF, 75% RDF + ZnSO4 at 25 kg/ha, 75% RDF + Nano-Zn at 10 ml/litre, 100% RDF, 100% RDF + ZnSO4, and 100% RDF + Nano-Zn) as the subplot treatments. Results showed that combining 100% RDF with Nano-Zn and ZnSO4 significantly enhanced soil nutrient availability and improved physico-chemical properties compared to control treatments. The organic carbon content was highest in the 100% RDF + Nano-Zn treatment (0.492%), suggesting an increase in soil organic matter. Nitrogen availability was significantly higher in this treatment, with a pooled value of 151.167 kg/ha, compared to 143.443 kg/ha in the control. Phosphorus availability also increased in the 100% RDF + Nano-Zn treatment (16.337 kg/ha), indicating better phosphorus mobilization. Potassium availability was enhanced, with the highest recorded value (216.39 kg/ha) in the 100% RDF + Nano-Zn treatment, while the control treatment had 213.597 kg/ha. Zinc availability was markedly improved, with the 100% RDF + Nano-Zn treatment reaching 0.853 mg/kg, compared to 0.79 mg/kg in the control. This study demonstrated that integrating Nano-Zn and ZnSO4 with inorganic fertilizers significantly improved soil fertility, nutrient availability, and potentially enhanced crop performance in Kharif maize. These findings indicate that combining inorganic and nano-fertilizers could be an effective nutrient management strategy, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and improved productivity in maize cultivation, alongside better soil health.
Keywords: Nano-Zn, organic manures, nutrient management, soil fertility, nutrient availability