Effects of Soil Application of Nanobiochar-Based Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilizers on the Growth and Yield of Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.)

Abstract

Adequate fertilization is the primary pre-requisite for sustainable crop production. Nanofertilizers are considered as new class of fertilizers and development and testing of these fertilizers are been an exciting research areas. Herein, we developed nanobiochar based nitrogen and potassium fertilizers through chemical methods and as prepared fertilizers were tested on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to evaluate their bio-efficacy. The nanobiochar-based nitrogen (NB-N) and potassium (NB-K) fertilizers were characterized by employing appropriate techniques, including dynamic light scattering for particle size analysis (NB-N (20.3 nm); NB-K (18 nm)) and zeta potential measurements (NB-N (33.2 mV); NB-K (-33.4 mV)), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Upon soil application in conjunction with the commercial fertilizers, the treatment 50% N + 50% NB-N + 100% P + 100% K recorded significantly higher pod yield (25.38%) and haulm yield (34.42%) compared to recommended dose of fertilizers(23.70 and 27.30 g/plant respectively) in groundnut. Further, NB-N and NB-K fertilizers significantly improved plant height (17%), root nodules (41%), chlorophyll content (19%) and dry matter production (34%) when compared to the recommended dose of fertilizers application. Higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents (14.39%, 49.21% and 33.33% respectively) were recorded with the same treatment compared to recommended dose of fertilizers (2.20, 0.63 and 1.45% respectively). Overall, the study shows that nanobiochar-based fertilizers have the potential to enhance crop productivity and soil fertility and also demonstrated the soil application of nanobiochar based fertilizers for sustainable agricultural practices.