Effect of Nano Urea on Increasing Nitrogen use Efficiency and Productivity of Wheat under Restricted Irrigation Condition

Wheat (Triticum spp.) belongs to poaceae family and is the second important food grain crop of India being next to rice. Among the different wheat species, common bread wheat [Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori and Paol. (6n=42)], occupying more than 85 percent of the total area under wheat cultivation. Wheat has its own outstanding importance as a human food, rich in carbohydrates and protein. About 35 percent of the World’spopulation directly or indirectly depends upon wheat for food and providing 20 percent of human dietary and energy supply and serving as the main source of protein in developing nations (Braun et al., 2010). In the world, wheat is grown in China, India, Thailand, Indonesia and U.S.A. with an area of 221.17 million hectares and produced 774.66 million tonnes with an average productivity of 3.5 tonnes per hectare (WAP, 2022). In India wheat is an important cereal crop covering an area of 30.46 million hectares and produced annually 10.77 million tonnes with the productivity of 3537 kg/ha during 2021-22 (WAP, 2022). Wheat is cultivated almost in all the states of India but extensive cultivation is confined to Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat. In Gujarat, wheat is an important rabi crop and is grown in Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Sabarkantha, Rajkot, Banaskantha, Kheda and Mehsana districts of the state and produced 4.01 million tonnes from 12.53 lakh hectares area with productivity of 3205 kg/ha (DOA, 2021-22). But actual yield potential of wheat in Gujaratis 6617 kg/ha. As compared to 2012-13, the area, production and productivity of wheat in Gujarat increased to the tune of 2.22, 7.12 and 4.64 per cent, respectively. Major constraints of lower productivity of wheat are the deteriorating effect of unjudicious use of fertilizer on soil health poor quality and facilities of irrigation, lack of adoption of agronomic techniques and light textured soil etc. Nanotechnology has made areal revolution in the agriculture. The use of nano-fertilizers has led to the increased productivity, reduced production costs in the last decade and also led to the increased production stability due to reduction of biotic and abiotic stresses. More solubility than the other similar non-nano-fertilizers is the important property of these fertilizers. Numerous reports have suggested that the application of nanoparticles increases the plant resistance against the drought stress by activating the antioxidant enzymes, facilitating the uptake process in the plants and enhancing their growth. (Ahmadian et al., 2021).

Nano fertilizer, the most important field of agriculture has drawn the attention of the soil scientists as well as the environmentalists due to its capability to increase yield, improve soil fertility, reduce pollution and make a favourable environment for microorganisms. Nano fertilizers play role in boosting nutrients uptake and nutrients use efficiency, reducing losses through leaching and gaseous emissions along with reducing the risk of nutrient toxicity for ensuring food security achieved through higher productivity and economic turnouts by practicing the sustainable farming practices (Ahmadian et al., 2021). Nano Urea (Liquid) is a source of nitrogen. It emerged as a novel fertilizer for targeted and precise application of nitrogen. It can easily transported. It is environment friendly and its production also doesn'tpollute or harm environment in any way.

Hence, keeping the above facts in view, afield investigation entitled, Effect of nano urea on increasing nitrogen use efficiency and productivity of wheat under restricted irrigation condition