Title : Nano DAP augments productivity, phosphorus use efficiency, and profitability of spring wheat in India
Abstract:
Agriculture is evolving with innovations like nano fertilizers, which promise to boost productivity and sustainability. This study assessed the effectiveness of nano DAP in enhancing growth, yield attributes, nutrient uptake, and economic viability in wheat cultivation (Triticum aestivum L.). Conducted over two rabi seasons (2022–2024) at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, the experiment used a randomized complete block design with ten treatments. These included a control (zero P), 50%, 75%, and 100% of the recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP), with or without nano DAP sprays (2.5 ml and 5 ml L–1), replicated three times. Results showed that applying 100% RDP with two foliar sprays of nano DAP significantly increased grain yield by 34.8% and 14.7% in the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 seasons, respectively, compared to the control. However, in 2023, P50 + nano2.5 ml L–1 resulted in a 13.7% yield reduction, while P50 + nano5 ml L–1 showed a 7.8% decrease compared to P100. In 2024, both treatments achieved yields comparable to P100. Similarly, P75 + nano recorded yields on par with P100. Additionally, grain phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) uptake increased by 69.9% and 42.2% for P, and 54.2% and 26.7% for N across the two seasons, compared to control. Economic analysis revealed higher net returns of US $1,022.30 and US $1,248.90 ha–1 year–1 in 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, respectively. Reducing P application to 75% RDP with two foliar sprays of nano DAP (5 ml L–1) resulted in wheat yields statistically comparable to 100% RDP, significantly improving N and P uptake and net returns. Thus, nano DAP presents an economically viable and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional P application.
