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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Comparative performance of biostimulants, nano urea on nutrient uptake efficiency and productivity of transplanted rice

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.15209
Submitted
23 April 2026
Published
21-06-2026

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Wetland Farm of SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Chengalpattu, during the navarai season of 2025 to evaluate the effects of biostimulants and nano urea on nutrient uptake efficiency and yield productivity in transplanted rice. The study was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) comprising 8 treatments. Conventional fertiliser application was combined with foliar sprays of nano urea, potassium humate, humic acid and iron chelate. The treatments significantly influenced growth parameters such as plant height, tiller number, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index (LAI) and chlorophyll index. Among the treatments, T₇ (N₇₅P₁₀₀K₁₀₀ + 1.5 % nano urea + 3 % potassium humate) consistently recorded superior vegetative growth, exhibiting the highest plant height, LAI, chlorophyll index and dry matter production. Yield attributes, including productive tillers per hill, panicle length, panicle weight, test weight and number of filled grains per panicle, were also highest under T₇, followed by the humic acid treatment. Treatment T₇ produced the highest grain and straw yields as well as the greatest harvest index, indicating efficient assimilate partitioning and enhanced nitrogen use efficiency. In contrast, iron chelate treatments, although they increased the total number of tillers, frequently resulted in fewer productive tillers and reduced reproductive efficiency. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the combined application of nano urea and biostimulants, particularly potassium humate, is an effective and sustainable strategy for improving nutrient uptake, physiological performance and productivity in transplanted rice. However, the results also highlight the importance of balanced nutrient management and caution against excessive reliance on iron chelate applications.

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