POTASSIUM FERRITE NANO COATED DAP FERTILIZER IMPROVES WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) GROWTH AND YIELD UNDER ALKALINE CALCAREOUS SOIL CONDITIONS.

Currently 50% of the Pakistani soils are reported deficient in potassium (K) along with iron (Fe) due to alkaline calcareous nature. Intensive cropping of exhaustive crops has resulted in negative K and Fe balance and subsequent population also suffering from iron deficiency. Application of nanotechnology with the idea of enhanced bio-availability, reactivity, surface area and adhesive effect of nano materials has made it a revolutionary tool for enhanced crop growth and nutrient enrichment in agriculture. A field study was conducted to assess the effect of potassium ferrite (KFeO2) nano coated diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer on the growth attributes, yield parameters and uptake of nutrients by wheat crop. Results showed that plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll contents, N, P, K and Fe uptake in shoot (at tillering and booting stage) and in grains and straw were significantly higher in treatment where recommended NP +10% KFeO2 nano-coated DAP was applied. Similarly, grain and straw yield was significantly improved in NP10 treatment than all other coated and uncoated treatments. The treatment NP (RD NP from DAP, urea + no potassium (farmer common practice) showed the least effect on growth parameters, yield attributes and harvest index. The treatment with 75% RD of coated DAP + 25% of K showed statistically similar grain yield compared to NPK that indicated a positive and promising effect of K and Fe nanoparticles. It was concluded from the study that nano coated DAP was a practical approach that may be adopted for enhanced plant growth and yield attributes of wheat crop. It also improves the potassium and iron contents of wheat grain, which is beneficial for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]