Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 12 No. sp1 (2025): Recent Advances in Agriculture by Young Minds - II

Enhancing yield and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using sprayer and drone-assisted nano-NPK application with improved crop establishment techniques

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.10582
Submitted
10 July 2025
Published
04-10-2025

Abstract

This study evaluated different crop establishment methods (CEM) and nutrient management (NM) strategies involving foliar application of nano-NPK through drone and knapsack sprayer in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was conducted at Lovely Professional University, Punjab, in collaboration with D2F Services Private Limited. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design (FRBD) using two factors, CEM and NM during the Rabi seasons of 2023 and 2024. Crop establishment methods included furrow irrigated raised bed (FIRB) and the drilling method, while nutrient management comprised eight possible combinations of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF; ranging from 50 %-100 %), farmyard manure (FYM) and foliar application of nano nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). The result indicated that among the crop establishment methods, FIRB had a statistically significant (p <0.05) impact on yield attributes, yield and quality parameters as compared to the drilling method. On the other hand, among the nutrient management, treatment N6, which comprises 75 % RDF + one spray of drone-based nano NPK, was observed as the most effective and statistically significant at (p <0.05) compared to the rest of the treatments for plant height (cm), total number of tillers m-2, productive tillers m-2, spike length (cm), number of spikes plant-1, number of spikelet spikes-1, number of grains spike-1, test weight (g) and grain yield (q ha-1), protein content and gluten content (%). The correlation analysis of grain yield (q ha-1) vs. effective tillers m-2 (r2 = 0.981), number of spikes plant-1, test weight (g) and gluten content (%) shows a positive relationship among them. These findings suggest that drone-assisted nano-NPK application and improved crop establishment techniques can effectively enhance the yield and quality of wheat.

References

  1. 1. Krishnappa G, Tyagi BS, Gupta V, Gupta A, Venkatesh K, Kamble UR, et al. Wheat breeding. In fundamentals of field crop breeding. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. 2022. p. 39-111. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9257-4_2
  2. 2. Sharma SN. Wheat. In: Rathore PS (Ed.), Techniques and management of field crop production. Agrobios (India). 2000;17:171-226.
  3. 3. Singh SK, Kumar S, Kashyap PL, Sendhil R, Gupta OP. Wheat. In Trajectory of 75 years of Indian agriculture after independence. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. 2023. p. 137-162. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7997-2_7
  4. 4. Sharma K, Sharma P. Wheat as a nutritional powerhouse: shaping global food security. 2025. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1009499
  5. 5. Jabbar HA, Ati AS, Hassan AH. Furrow irrigated raised bed (FIRB) technique for improving water productivity in Iraq. Plant Arch. 2020;20:1017-22.
  6. 6. Kadu AV, Rathod V, Matre V. A review on seed sowing method and alternative methods for small farmers. Int J Res Eng Sci Manag. 2019;2:194-6.
  7. 7. Shevkani K, Singh N, Bajaj R, Kaur A. Wheat starch production, structure, functionality and applications - A review. Int J Food Sci Technol. 2017;52(1):38-58. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.13266
  8. 8. Khalid A, Hameed A, Tahir MF. Wheat quality: A review on chemical composition, nutritional attributes, grain anatomy, types, classification, and function of seed storage proteins in bread-making quality. Front Nutri. 2023;10:1053196. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1053196
  9. 9. Yadav A, Yadav K, Abd-Elsalam KA. Nanofertilizers: types, delivery and advantages in agricultural sustainability. Agrochem. 2023;2:296-336. https://doi.org/10.3390/agrochemicals2020019
  10. 10. Wang G, Lan Y, Yuan H, Qi H, Chen P, Ouyang F, Han Y. Comparison of spray deposition, control efficacy on wheat aphids and working efficiency in the wheat field of the unmanned aerial vehicle with boom sprayer and two conventional knapsack sprayers. Appl Sci. 2019;9:218. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9020218
  11. 11. Al-Juthery HW, Ali EH, Al-Ubori RN, Al-Shami QNM, Al-Taey DK. Role of foliar application of nano-NPK, micro fertilizers, and yeast extract on growth and yield of wheat. Int J Agricult Stat Sci. 2020;16:1295-1300. https://www.connectjournals.com/file_html_pdf/3288500H_1295-1300a.pdf
  12. 12. Hiremath C, Khatri N, Jagtap MP. Comparative studies of knapsack, boom, and drone sprayers for weed management in soybean (Glycine max L.). Environ Res. 2024;240:117480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.117480
  13. 13. Kjeldahl C. New method for the determination of nitrogen in organic bodies. Z Anal Chem. 1883;22:366. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1572543024017599360
  14. 14. AACC. In: Approved methods of the AACC. 11th ed. Method 38-12A. St Paul (MN): American Association of Cereal Chemists. 2005. https://www.cerealsgrains.org/resources/methods/Pages/default.aspx
  15. 15. Gomez KA, Gomez AA. Statistical procedures for agricultural research. John Wiley & Sons. New York. 1984. p. 680.
  16. 16. Sharma A, Sharma S, Choudhary R, Jat G, Vyas L, Yadav SK. Effects of seeding methods and nutrient management practices on growth and yield of organic wheat (Triticum aestivum). Indian J Agric Sci. 2024;94:1100-05. https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v94i10.148517
  17. 17. Phaugat M, Raj A, Gupta P, Kumar N, Kumar A, Ratan A. Assessments of the effects of contemporary water management and tillage techniques on wheat (Triticum aestivum L) growth and yield. J Env Bio Sci. 2024;38:299-304. https://doi.org/10.59467/JEBS.2024.38.299
  18. 18. Hussain M, Ahmad M, Akram M, Ghafoor A. Comparative study for the effect of different sowing techniques on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity and economic feasibility. Custos e Agronegocio On Line. 2016;12(1):36-48. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20163275923
  19. 19. Alqasim YFY, Al-Ghazal SAY. Impact of foliar spraying of NPK nano fertilizer on yield traits of two varieties of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2023;1213:12006. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1213/1/012006
  20. 20. Sarwar N, Maqsood M, Mubeen K, Shehzad M, Bhullar M S, Qamar R, et al. Effect of different levels of irrigation on yield and yield components of wheat cultivars. Pak J Agri Sci. 2010;47(3):371-374. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20113073790
  21. 21. Kharrou MH, Er-Raki S, Chehbouni A, Duchemin B, Simonneaux V, Le Page M, et al. Water use efficiency and yield of winter wheat under different irrigation regimes in a semi-arid region. Agric Sci China. 2011;2(3):273-82. https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2011.23036
  22. 22. AI-Ajili HDM, Al-Saeedi MAH. Response of some quality indicators of grain yield of bread wheat cultivars to spraying with nano-potassium fertilizer. Euphrates J Agric Sci. 2023;15:470-83. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1262/3/032042
  23. 23. Kumar Y, Singh T, Raliya R, Tiwari KN. Nano fertilizers for sustainable crop production, higher nutrient use efficiency and enhanced profitability. Indian J Fert. 2021;17:1206-14.
  24. 24. Madlala NC, Khanyile N, Masenya A. Examining the correlation between the inorganic nano-fertilizer physical properties and their impact on crop performance and nutrient uptake efficiency. Nanomaterials. 2024;14:1263. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14151263
  25. 25. El-Hefnawy SF. Nano NPK and growth regulator promoting changes in growth and mitotic index of pea plants under salinity stress. J Agri Chem Biotech. 2020;11:263-9. https://doi.org/10.21608/jacb.2020.118213
  26. 26. Abdel-Aziz HMM, Hasaneen MNA, Omer AM. Foliar application of nano chitosan NPK fertilizer improves the yield of wheat plants grown on two different soils. Egypt J Exp Biol. 2018;14:63-72. https://doi.org/10.5455/egyjebb.20180106032701
  27. 27. AbdulKafoor AH, Ahmed YA, Ali IM, Ramadan ASAA. Growth and yield response of several cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to spraying of NPK nano fertilizer. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2023;1252:012033. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1252/1/012033
  28. 28. Borana H, Singh I, Verma JR, Kumhar BL, Dev P, Ram M. Effect of nano fertilizers on growth and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Biol Forum. 2024;16(8):284-9.
  29. 29. Noor H, Yan Z, Sun P, Zhang L, Ding P, Li L, et al. Effects of nitrogen on photosynthetic productivity and yield quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Agronomy. 2023;13(6):1448. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061448
  30. 30. Rizwan M, Ali S, Ali B, Adrees M, Arshad M, Hussain A. Zinc and iron oxide nanoparticles improved the plant growth and reduced the oxidative stress and cadmium concentration in wheat. Chemosphere. 2019;214:269-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.09.120
  31. 31. Burhan MG, Al-Hassan SA. Impact of Nano NPK fertilizers to correlation between productivity, quality and flag leaf of some bread wheat varieties. Iraqi J Agric Sci. 2019;50:1-7. https://doi.org/10.36103/ijas.v50iSpecial.171
  32. 32. Najm SH, Al-Juthery HWA. Effect of phosphorus, potassium nano-fertilizers and spraying of Sepehr 4 nano-fertilizer and carbon nanotubes on the growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.). IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2023;1259(1):012016. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1259/1/012016
  33. 33. Tyagi S, Garg AP, Ahlawat P, Arya S, Kumar A, Mahajan NC. Precision nitrogen-management practices and efficient planting systems influence crop-water productivity, grain quality and profit of wheat (Triticum aestivum L). Inceptisol J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2021;10:2005-10.
  34. 34. Ranjan S, Sow S, Kumar S, Ghosh M, Roy DK, Dutta SK, et al. Enhancing nutrient use efficiency and productivity of cereals through site-specific nutrient management. J Cereal Res. 2022;14:229-42. https://doi.org/10.25174/2582-2675/2022/126895
  35. 35. Chandran V, Shahena S, Rajan M, Mathew L. Controlled Release of Plant Hormones for Modifying Crop Yield. Controlled Release of Pesticides for Sustainable Agriculture. 2020;253-266. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23396-9_11
  36. 36. Mukimuddin MSH. Performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under foliar application of different nutrients. [Doctoral dissertation]. Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth. 2024;1-85. https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/server/api/core/bitstreams/7d515a3c-933e-46ca-a999-49fa976413a7/content
  37. 37. Al-Juthery HWA, Hardan HM, Al-Swedi FG, Obaid MH, Al-Shami QMN. Effect of foliar nutrition of nano-fertilizers and amino acids on growth and yield of wheat. Earth Environ Sci. 2019;388:12046. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/388/1/012046

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.