The impact of nano-ZnO foliar fertilizer on growth and yield of cultivated rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em> L.) varieties in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Nanotechnological improvements such as nano-fertilizers are important in agriculture due to higher capability of penetration into plants, nutrient use efficiency and reduced off-target wastage of fertilizers. Rice being the second most important cereal crop in the world, is the national staple food in Sri Lanka. Insufficiency of soil Zn in paddy fields led to a reduction in plant growth and yield. Present study was conducted to assess the effect of nano-ZnO-fertilizer and bulk ZnO on growth and yield performances of commonly cultivated traditional (Pachchaperumal, Suwandel) and inbred (Bg94-1) rice varieties in Sri Lanka. Nano-ZnO particles were synthesized by thermal decomposition route and characterized using powder X-ray diffraction and FE-SEM. Sizes of the nano-ZnO particles varied from 50 nm to 500 nm. Pots were arranged in randomized complete block design with twenty replicates per treatment and treated with distilled water, bulk ZnO 60 mg L-1, nano-ZnO 60 mg L-1 (Conc.1), and nano-ZnO 120 mg L-1 (Conc. 2), Growth related characters were measured at 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing (DAS). Yield characters were measured at the harvesting stage. Analysis of variance showed a significant effect of nano-ZnO-fertilizer on yield parameters than growth parameters of three rice varieties. Varietal responses to the applied nano-ZnO-fertilizer vary and higher responses were observed in Bg94-1. Effect of nano-ZnO-fertilizers on Pachchaperumal and Suwandel were almost similar; however, weight of 100-seed of Suwandel treated with nano-ZnO 120 mg L-1 was prominent. Findings of the study revealed, a better yield performance for three rice varieties with foliar application of nano-ZnO-fertilizers.

Keywords

• foliar application, growth and yield, nano-zno-fertilizer, rice