Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Dualcapped Zn–Urea Nanofertilizers and Application in Nutrient Delivery in Wheat

Abstract
Nanoscale nutrients are promising for improving crop performance. However, size-induced potential for drifting, segregation, or transformation warrants strategies to streamline fertilization regimes. Herein, we developed three nanofertilizers by coating urea granules with Zn nanoparticles capped with binary capping agents: N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and sodium salicylate (SAL); NAC and urea; or SAL and urea. Coating was accomplished at 80–100% efficiencies. When evaluated in sorghum through soil application at 6.4 (rate-1) and 2.1 (rate-2) mg Zn per kg soil, the nanofertilizers influenced sorghum performance, plant accumulation, and soil retention of Zn, N, and P comparably with the control (Zn-sulfate). However, SAL–urea–Zn, NAC–SAL–Zn, and NAC–urea–Zn nanofertilizers evoked rate-dependent significant (P < 0.05) effects compared to Zn-sulfate. Early SPAD (chlorophyll) counts were significant with SAL–urea–Zn rate-1, compared to Zn-sulfate. NAC–SAL–Zn and SAL–urea–Zn rate-1 significantly increased shoot biomass, compared to Zn-sulfate. Notably, NAC–urea–Zn rate-2 strongly promoted grain or total above-ground Zn or N accumulation compared to SAL–urea–Zn rate-1, NAC–SAL–Zn rate-1, or NAC–urea–Zn rate-1, indicating that a lower rate of Zn can be used for NAC–urea–Zn to facilitate Zn and N delivery. Residual soil Zn was significantly higher with NAC–SAL–Zn rate-1, compared to Zn-sulfate. However, residual ammonium was significantly higher in Zn-sulfate, compared to other treatments, except for NAC–urea–Zn rate-2. Contrarily, residual P was significantly higher with SAL– urea–Zn rate-1 than with Zn-sulfate. These findings indicate that coating of urea with Zn nanoparticles can facilitate the application of nanoscale nutrients in agriculture, without any penalty on plant performance or nutrient delivery.
Description
Keywords
Nutrients, Wheat
Citation
Dimkpa, C.O., M.G.N. Campos, J. Fugice Jr., K. Glass, A. Ozcan, Z. Huang, U. Singh, and S. Santra. 2022. “Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Dual-Capped Zn–Urea Nanofertilizers and Application in Nutrient Delivery in Wheat,” Environmental Science Advances, 1:47-58. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1VA00016K
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