Impact of foliar fertilization with nanosized zinc hydroxy nitrate on maize yield and quality

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of foliar zinc application in the form of zinc hydroxy nitrate suspensions on maize grain yield and quality and on zinc distribution in the plant organs. The preparation of the zinc hydroxide nitrate (Zn5(OH)8(NO3)2·2H2O) was performed by pouring a NaOH solution into Zn(NO3)2·6H2O under vigorous stirring. All samples were characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometry to determine their content, morphology and physicochemical properties. The field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm, Agricultural University, Bulgaria, via a randomized block design with eight variants in 3 replications. A significant (p < 0.05) effect on Zn accumulation in the maize stems and leaves by foliar zinc application during the first growth stage was found. The accumulation of zinc was followed by its remobilization from the stems to other plant organs during the second growth stage. It was concluded that the synthesized zinc hydroxy nitrate has potential as a long-term foliar fertilizer. Ensuring the optimal concentration of Zn at different times during the vegetative period lead to a substantial increase in the grain yield along with an improvement in the quality of the corn grain for all variants compared to those of the control.

Application of Zn-containing foliar fertilisers for recovery of the grain productivity potential of Zn-deficient maize plants

“…On the other hand, the adequate zinc supply during the first 24 days of vegetation increased the growth rate, which is reflected both by the increased height of the plants as well as dry matter content (Furlani et al, 2005). On the basis Accepted paper of our results (Ivanov et al, 2019) and literature data (Jones et al, 1991) we accepted 15 mg kg -1 as sufficient zinc levels during this phase of plant development.…”

“…It is known that maize plants need the maximum amount of zinc at precisely certain stages of their development in a relatively short time (Potarzycki, 2010). A little soluble ZnO may not always fully meet these needs (Ivanov et al, 2019). As an alternative to the zinc oxide that can be used are complex zinc salts with a better solubility than ZnO and significantly less solubility than inorganic zinc salts.…”

Biofortification—A Frontier Novel Approach to Enrich Micronutrients in Field Crops to Encounter the Nutritional Security

“…The result also proposed that the Zn transportation in maize organs strongly depends on the growth period. Initially, Zn is transported from the roots and leaves to the stem during the first growth period followed by its movement from the stem to other organs of the plant in the next stage [116]. Hence, detailed studies concerning the nanomaterials foliar application on plants including their uptake, translocation and transformation, behavior and phytotoxicity of these nanomaterials on plants are required.…”

The Response of Maize Lines to Foliar Fertilizing

“…Nowadays, fertilizer formulations are enriched with micro-elements. According to Ivanov et al, 2019 [14], application of foliar fertilizer containing Zn showed positive effects on maize yield and quality. Application of foliar fertilizers showed an improvement on maize aboveground and underground parts [15].…”