Application of nano-chitosan NPK fertilizer on growth and productivity of potato plant

Abstract

Nanofertilizers improved technology for controlling release and target delivery of agrochemicals to achieve greater improvement in plant crop with lower environmental impacts. The effect of foliar application of chitosan (CS) nanoparticles loaded with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) on growth and yield parameters, chemical constituents and nutrients content of potato plants (spunta) grown in sandy loam soil were studied. It was applied to leaf surfaces, avoiding direct interaction with soil systems. The uptake and translocation of nanoparticles inside potato plants was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that nanoparticles were taken up and transported through phloem tissues. The obtained results could be summarized as follows: Foliar application with Nano CS-NPK levels (Nano 10, 50 and 100%) significantly increased all the growth and yield parameters, photosynthetic pigments, chemical constituents of potato tuber at harvest, and macronutrients in potato leaves and tubers as compared with the control treatment. The highest effective treatment in this respect was 10% Nano CS-NPK as compered with the other two levels. Thus, accelerating plant growth and productivity by application of nanofertilizers can open new perspectives in agricultural practice.