Synthesized Zinc and Iron Nanoparticles on Nutrient Fortification and Crop Productivity in Sugarcane Plant-Ratoon Sequences

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted for 3 years to find out the effect of nanoscale oxides of zinc and iron on yield and quality of sugarcane in sandy clay loam soils during 2019–20 to 2021–22 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle. The study indicated that yield-attributing parameters, viz. shoot population at formative, millable canes at harvest (NMC), juice quality, cane and sugar yields, were significantly influenced by the application of zinc and iron either through nanoscale particles or normal zinc sulphate and iron sulphate; however, more influence was observed with nanoscale oxides than normal compounds. There is no significant influence with soil physicochemical properties and soil fertility status; however, highest available zinc status was recorded with soil application of zinc sulphate @ 50 kg ha⁻¹ over foliar sprays. Data on zinc and iron content in cane juice were significantly highest with foliar sprayings of nanozinc and iron oxides twice at 45 and 90 days after planting @ 400 and 1000 ppm, respectively. Cane and sugar yields were significantly influenced by the micronutrient application as significantly highest cane yields were recorded with recommended dose of fertilizers along with zinc sulphate @ 50 kg ha⁻¹ and it was on a par with recommended dose of fertilizers with nano-oxides of zinc @ 400 ppm at 45 and 90 days after planting.