Effect of Nano-multi Micronutrients on Agronomic Traits, Nutrient Uptake and Soil Fertility in Pot Trial of Maize (Zea mays L.)

A pot experiment of maize was carried during summer seasons of March–July, 2023 and 2024 at the experimental field of Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mumbai, India, to assess the impact of multi nano micronutrients formulation (NM) on maize growth. The experiment was structured using a Completely Randomized Block Design with 12 treatments, including control with only water, Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF), and different concentrations of NM having zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and boron (B) ranging from 20 mg to 0.15 mg 15 kg-1 of soil, as well as commercial micronutrients and micronutrient salts. Results revealed that application of 100% RDF+0.312 mg (T9) and 0.156 mg (T10) of nano micronutrients with drenching recorded better results of nutrient uptake (NU), apparent recovery (ANR) and agronomic efficiency (ARE). The NU (kg ha-1) of nitrogen (120.368), potassium (101.422), Cu (0.114), Fe (1.235), Mn (0.107) and Zn (6.069) was higher in T9 when compared to 100% RDF. The ANR was 9154.19% higher in T10 and 158.28% higher for Nitrogen(N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium compared to 100% RDF. The protein and chlorophyll content were better in T9 and T10 of nano micronutrients respectively. The applications of T9 and T10 was found to be most effective in NU, ARE, ANR, protein content and chlorophyll content. Higher nutrient content in soil was found in treatment with lower concentrations. Overall, lower concentration of nano micronutrients appeared to be more effective for all traits.