title: Evaluation of Nano Structured Slow Release Fertilizer on the Soil Fertility, Yield and Nutritional Profile of Vigna radiata.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides has distorted soil composition, fertility and integrity with non-desirable environmental and ecological consequences. A strategy was designed to prepare a nano structured slow release fertilizer system that delivers nutrients and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria simultaneously. Slow release nano phosphate and potash fertilizer was prepared by blending the nano emulsion of fertilizer with neem cake and PGPR. Slow release nano phosphate and potash fertilizer was prepared by blending the nano emulsion of fertilizer with neem cake and PGPR. Few patents relevant to the topic have been reviewed and cited.
  
  
  METHODS
  The influence of nano structured slow release fertilizer on the biochemical characteristics, soil and yield attributes of Vigna radiata was studied in the field by randomized block design. The treatments used to evaluate the effect of nano SRF were a control (without any fertilizer), neem cake, chemical fertilizer, PGPR and nano SRF. Germination, specific activity of enzymes, carbohydrates, protein, photosynthetic pigments, root nodule number and microbial population were assessed by standard methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The size of the nano urea slow release fertilizer ranged from 52.41 nm to 69.86 nm, and the size of the phosphate and potash fertilizer ranged from 81.85 nm to 87 nm. The weights of 1000 grains were 31.8 g, 33.28 g, 33.39 g, 36.65 g and 44.90 g in the control, neem cake, chemical fertilizer, PGPR and nano SRF, respectively. The protein concentrations were 162 mg g-1 in the control, 231 mg g-1 in the neem cake, 192 mg g-1 in the chemical fertilizer, 285 mg g-1 in the PGPR and 336 mg g-1 in the nano SRF. Nano slow release fertilizer treatment has stimulated germination and biochemical characteristics in Vigna radiata that are positively reflected in the yield attributes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College (Autonomous), Sivakasi-626005, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: Rajendran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mala
authors.forename: Ruby Celsia Arul
authors.initials: RCA
authors.lastname: Selvaraj
authors.forename: Vidhya Barathi
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Sundaram
authors.forename: Raja Blessina Siva Shanmuga
authors.initials: RBSS
authors.lastname: Rajan
authors.forename: Uma Maheswari
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Gurusamy
mesh_terms: D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D000069599:Crop Production; D005308:Fertilizers / Q000032:analysis*; D018525:Germination; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010316:Particle Size; D010330:Patents as Topic; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D000070658:Vigna / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D010940:Plant Proteins; D012987:Soil; D002734:Chlorophyll; D010758:Phosphorus; D000681:Amylases; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Nano slow release fertilizer; Vigna radiata; nitrogen; phosphorus; potassium; soil fertility; yield