Efficacy of microbially impregnated polymer-coated nitrogen fertilizers for improving growth, yield and nitrogen-use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Aiman Amjad, Nasir Ahmed Rajput, Muhammad Atiq, Hadeeqa Riasat, Jamil Shafi, Muhammad Jahanzaib Matloob, Abdul Hannan, Asia Kainat, Asifa Nazar, Ayesha Sadiqa, Meesam Raza, Muhammad Tehseen Shafqat

Abstract


Efficient nitrogen management is essential for improving wheat productivity and nutrient-use efficiency while reducing nutrient losses. This study evaluated polymer-coated and microbially impregnated polymer-coated (MEP-coated) urea and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) for their effects on wheat growth, yield, nutrient accumulation, and nitrogen-use efficiency. MEP-coated fertilizers, particularly MEP-coated CAN (T7), consistently improved crop performance compared with corresponding uncoated and polymer-coated fertilizers. T7 produced the greatest plant height (108.33 cm), fertile tiller density (327 m-2), chlorophyll index (54.04 SPAD), spikelet number (20 spikelets spike-1), root weight (1.94 g), root length (23.09 cm), and 1000-grain weight (47.50 g). It also resulted in the highest straw (8750 kg ha-1) and biological yields (12,357 kg ha-1), representing a 19.22% increase in biological yield over uncoated CAN. T7 increased grain and straw N concentrations by 13.46% and 31.78%, respectively, relative to uncoated CAN, and also showed greater P and K concentrations and nutrient uptake. The highest NUE (17.79%) and agronomic N-use efficiency were recorded with MEP-coated CAN. Principal component analysis indicated strong associations among growth, yield, and nutrient-related variables, with PC1 and PC2 explaining 91.27% and 2.87% of the total variation, respectively. Overall, MEP-coated fertilizers, particularly MEP-coated CAN, improved wheat growth, productivity, nutrient acquisition, and N-use efficiency under the conditions of this study, indicating their potential for more efficient fertilizer-N management.


Keywords


Enhanced-efficiency fertilizer, Microbial inoculant, Controlled-release nitrogen, Nitrogen-use efficiency, Wheat productivity

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33804/pp.010.05.6073

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