Comparative efficacy of nano-fertilizers and conventional fertilizers on growth of tomato

Abstract:

Across the vegetable belts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, tomato growers apply 250-350 kg NPK per hectare, yet recovery rarely exceeds 40% because of leaching, volatilisation, and fixation in calcareous soils. This research compared nano-sized zinc oxide, ferric oxide, and a nano-NPK complex against conventional fertilizers for their effects on growth, fruit yield, and Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) of tomato (cv. Pusa Ruby) under field conditions at the Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Prayagraj, during rabi 2022-2023. Six treatments were tested in a RCBD with four replications: control (no fertilizer), full conventional NPK, nano-Zn (40 ppm foliar), nano-Fe (60 ppm foliar), nano-NPK (foliar blend), and nano-NPK + 50% conventional NPK. The combined nano-NPK + 50% conventional treatment produced the tallest plants (71.8 cm), heaviest fruit (79.8 g), and highest yield (2.10 kg/plant), surpassing full conventional NPK by 42% for yield and achieving 51.3% NUE versus 28.4% for conventional. These results suggest that combining nano-fertilizers with a reduced conventional dose can improve tomato productivity while lowering total fertilizer input.