Utilizing Urea–Chitosan Nanohybrid for Minimizing Synthetic Urea Application and Maximizing Oryza sativa L. Productivity and N Uptake

Abstract

In paddy fields, overuse of nitrogen fertilizer to maximize yields can lead to excessive economic loss and degradation of the environment. Therefore, studying the effects of urea–chitosan nanohybrid as a slow released source of nitrogen fertilizer on rice cultivation was the aim of our study. The effects of fertilization applications, namely: CU: control treatment; U1: application of a full recommended dose of classical urea (165 kg N ha−1); U2: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 80% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 250 mg N/L; U3: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 80% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 500 mg N/L; U4: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 60% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 250 mg N/L; U5: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 60% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 500 mg N/L; U6: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 40% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 250 mg N/L; and U7: adding recommended dose of classical urea by 40% + exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid 500 mg N/L on growth indicators, yield-related components, grain productivity, and N uptake status of rice plants were investigated during two successive seasons. As a result, significant achievements concerning growth, yield and yield-related traits were obtained when rice plants were fertilized with exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid (i.e., 500 mg N/L) + 60% classical urea without a significant decline in the studied traits compared to the full recommended dose of classical urea. Accordingly, this investigation revealed that chitosan nanohybrid at 500 mg N/L as a compensatory alternative can be used in saving 40% of classical urea requirement.

Plant growth promoting potential of urea doped calcium phosphate nanoparticles in finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) under drought stress

“…Applying CaP-U NPs to Triticum durum Desf., significantly increased the fresh and dry weight of the shoot ( Ramírez-Rodríguez et al., 2020b ). Rice plants fertilized with exogenous urea–chitosan nanohybrid (i.e., 500 mg/L) + 60% classical urea, significantly enhanced the growth and yield-related traits ( Elshayb et al., 2022 ). In Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, application of the calcium nitrate-gelatin (CNG) coated urea showed maximum dry matter accumulation, high average plant chlorophyll content and apparent nitrogen recovery (ANR) of 71.14% in shoot and 4.5% in roots, respectively ( Khan et al., 2021 ).…”

Climate change, its impact on crop production, challenges, and possible solutions

“…Thus, it can increase growth, yields and quality of crops, and also plants tolerance or resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses (Tarafdar et al, 2013). Use of engineered smart nanotools in high-tech agricultural system could be brilliant approach to make revolutions in agricultural practices to yields and quality, and thus decrease and/or eradicate the negative impact of current agriculture on climate (Sekhon, 2014;Liu and Lal, 2015;Elshayb et al, 2022a;Al-Selwey et al, 2023). Recent studies showed that application chitosan nanoparticles in tomato and maize, silver nanoparticles s in wheat and multi-walled carbon nanotubes in broccoli significantly alleviated negative effects of salinity stress (Bruna et al, 2016;Martinez-Ballesta et al, 2016;Mohamed et al, 2017;HernandezHernandez et al, 2018;Abou-Zeid and Ismail, 2018).…”

Nanomaterials as an alternative to increase plant resistance to abiotic stresses

“…The incursion of nanotechnology in agriculture is relatively recent, where the production of nanocomposites containing fertilizers, pesticides, and microorganisms is one of the most important applications ( Usman et al., 2020 ; Elshayb et al., 2022 ). For instance, nano-biosensors are playing an important role in revolutionizing farming through the development of diagnostic tools and techniques for identifying heavy metal (HM) ions, pollutants, microbial load, and pathogens, along with fast environmental monitoring.…”