Impact of foliar spray of zinc in nano form on lentil grown under residual fertility of preceding rice

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3952468/v1

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Research Article

Impact of foliar spray of zinc in nano form on lentil grown under residual fertility of preceding rice

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3952468/v1

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Field trials were carried out during the rabi season of 2018-19 and 2019-20 to observe the combined impact of recommended fertilizer dose with or without nano zinc on lentils under residual soil status of preceding rice. The experiment was designed in split-plot with three replications holding sixteen treatment combinations viz. residual effect of eight treatments applied in rice as main plot factors and recommended dose of nutrients with and without nano zinc spray in lentil in two treatments as subplots factors. Experimental results revealed that better growth, yield associating traits and yield of lentil was found in the residual effect of integrated nutrient management treated plots with foliar application of nano zinc. Among the main plot factors residual effect of 50% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 50% via FYM applied in preceding rice achieved the maximum seed yield and between the subplot factors significantly higher seed yield was obtained from recommended dose of nutrients with nano zinc spray in lentil which was increased by 11.11% than without nano zinc sprayed treatments.

Foliar nutrition

integrated nutrient management

nano zinc

residual effect

seed yield

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) is a food legume of considerable importance, cultivated in Rabi season (Singh et al. 2013; Singh et al. 2014) because of it’s high nutritive value for providing carbohydrates, proteins and dietary fibre (Viadel et al. 2006; Romano et al. 2021) which is consumed as a supply of animal protein in impoverishment and is considered as an chief constituent of vegetarian meals in advanced countries (Sarker et al. 2010). Rice-lentil crop sequence has considerable contribution both in human diet, livestock feed and also in soil fertility restoration (Reddy 2009) therefore it has immense importance in the north Indian river plains (Singh et al. 2014).

Nutrient management in integrated way though simultaneous application of inorganic or chemical fertilizer and organic manure produced greater residual impact in soil as compare to sole application of chemical fertilizer. That residual soil fertility helps to improve growth parameters and yield of succeeding crops.

Zinc is an extremely indispensable micronutrients for both flora and fauna (Prasad 2012; Prasad et al. 2014). It helps in digestion and regulatory activities (Broadly et al., 2007) and it has a significant function in generative stage of lentil as well (Venugopalan et al. 2021). As per current research work, nanotechnology has the potential to modify cultivation approach (Raliya et al., 2018; Shang et al. 2019). Use of nano zinc have favourable result on plant physiology which reflects in subsequent production (Sabir et al. 2014; Kolenčík et al. 2019; Kolenčík et al. 2020) besides having the capacity to increase crop yield caused by effective oxygen species produced by nanoparticles (Siddiqui et al. 2018). In foliar spray method, nutrients get to the place of action in plant straight away without any misuse and delay (Das and Jana 2015). Quick recovery of nutritional deficiencies with improved yield and better quality of crops has been proven by foliar application of fertilizers (Smoleń 2012) which not only ameliorates nutrient utilization but also reduces environmental pollution due to decreasing amount of added fertilizers in soil (Abou-El-nour 2002). However, exchange of gases occurs in leaves but cuticles in leaves prevents entering of materials (Schwab et al. 2015; Pérez-de-Luque 2017). Nanoparticles get into across the cell wall effortlessly and come in contact with the plasma membrane because of having less diameter than pore dimension of the plant cell wall (Moore 2006; Navarro et al. 2008). According to Eichert et al. (2008)d rez-de-Luque (2017) the nano covered particles possessing size limit above 10 nm enhance the stomatal entering. Due to having higher superficial coverage, better absorption strength and gradual deliverance nature in selected size nano-fertilizers turned out to be regarded as smart conveyance practice (Solanki et al. 2015). Foliar application impact of nano nutrients on plants including plant nutrition and its protection have been published in many studies (Larue et al. 2014; Wang et al. 2015; Davarpanah et al. 2016; Hong et al. 2016).

Full utilization of residual fertility is the purpose of intensive cropping system. This indicates straight as well as leftover consequence of used fertilizers should be considered for balanced supply of nutrients assuring maximum yield as well as sustainable crop production. To maintain sufficient crop productivity application of nutrients in integrated way and supervision to least harmful impact on earth to protect the ecosystem and to sustain soil fertility is the present focus. Keeping in view the aforesaid idea, the experiment was executed to analyse the residual effect of natural and chemical sources of nourishment applied in preceding Kharif rice and application of zinc in nano form as foliar spray on lentil.

2.1 Experimental area and soil characteristics of the location

The field experiment was performed for two successive years at the ‘D’ Block Farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal (India) located at 22°58'8"N latitude and 88°25'5"E longitude with an elevation of 9.75m above mean sea level (AMSL) during rabi season of 2018-19 and 2019-20. The experiment was done on slightly alkaline (pH 7.4) sandy loam alluvial soil with good drainage capacity (order- Inseptisol), containing organic carbon amount of 0.55%, 208.70 kg available N ha^− 1, 26.5 kg available P₂O₅ ha^− 1, 232.6 kg available K₂O ha^− 1 and 1.2 mg available Zn ha^− 1.

2.2 Experimental design and treatments

The experiment was designed in split-plot accompanied by three replications possessing eight treatments in main plot factors viz. S₁ – residual effect of control (N₀P₀K₀) plot in preceding rice, S₂ – residual effect of 100% RD_N (recommended dose of nitrogen) via synthetic fertilizer applied in preceding rice, S₃ – residual effect of 75% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 25% via FYM applied in preceding rice, S₄ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through via synthetic + 50% via FYM applied in preceding rice, S₅ – residual effect of N₀P₀K₀ + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₆ - residual effect of 100% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₇ - residual effect of 75% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 25% via FYM + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₈ - residual effect of 50% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 50% via FYM + nano zinc spray applied to preceding rice crop, and two treatments regarding fertilizer application in lentil in subplot factors viz. F₁ – RDF (recommended dose of fertilizers) of N-P-K, F₂ – RDF of N-P-K + nano zinc spray applied to succeeding crop lentil cultivated in various remaining fertility status of antecedent rice crop. The lentil variety taken was Moitree (WBL 77) and seed quantity of 30 kg ha^–1 was taken for sowing in plot size of 4 m × 3 m with a spacing of 30 cm × 10 cm. Characterization of nano zinc was done before and had been published by Nandy et al. (2023) in Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition.

2.3 Fertilizer application and nano zinc spray

The advocated amount of fertilizers was 20:40:40 kg (N: P₂O₅: K₂O) ha^− 1. Inorganic sources of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were urea, single super phosphate (SSP) and muriate of potash (MOP) respectively. The full quantity of fertilizers was broadcasted in the soil prior to the sowing of the lentil. Nano zinc application was done twice with a dose rate of 10 mg L^− 1 and both were provided at respective treatments in two weeks and five weeks following emergence of the lentil crop.

2.4 Intercultural operations

Hoeing, weeding and thinning operations were completed manually at 15 days later sowing (DAS). The crop was sown with pre-sowing irrigation to facilitate germination. Later on, light irrigation was provided before flowering.

2.5 Data collection

Growth and yield characteristics as well as yield of lentil were measured, plant samples at the time of maturity of lentil were taken and soil samples after harvest of lentil were collected for chemical analyses. For all the growth and advancement research in the course of crop growth session, five plants were chosen arbitrarily and marked in every plot. Firstly, the growth traits were noted 30 days after sowing and following results were recorded at a gap of 30 days. Yield and yield ascribing parameters were ascertained utilizing standard methods. Ultimately, the yield was demonstrated as t ha^− 1.

2.6 Chemical analysis of plant samples for total nutrients uptake

Micro-Kjeldahl method was used to analyse N content in plant as per the procedure suggested by AOAC 1995, Vanado-molybdate acid yellow colour method (Piper 1966) and flame photometer method (Jackson 1973) were utilized to assess P and K content respectively and analysis of Zn content was done after dry ashing in a muffle, by an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.

2.7 Chemical analysis of soil samples

Organic carbon content in the soil was estimated by applying Walkley and Black (1934) method. Alkaline permanganate method succeeding titration with H₂SO₄ (Subbiah and Ashija 1956) was used to evaluate available nitrogen in soil. Available phosphorus was assessed by Olsen’s (Olsen et al. 1954) method where 0.5 (M) NaHCO₃ (pH 8.5) was used as an extractant. Available potassium content in experimental soil was determined by using flame photometer (Jackson 1973) with the solution of neutral normal ammonium acetate. Lindsay and Norvell (1978) method were employed to find soil available zinc content after extraction of tested soil sample with 0.005M DTPA solution adapted to pH 7.3 where soil: extractant ratio was kept 1:2.

2.8 Microbial population count

The entire microbial population (bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi) of soil were enumerated following the serial dilution and pour plate method (Zubere 1994).

2.9 Dehydrogenase enzyme estimation

The dehydrogenase activity of the soils was ascertained by the methods delineated by Klein et al. (1971) and the outcomes were indicated as µg TPF g^− 1 h^− 1.

2.10 Statistical analysis

The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was achieved to envisage the influences of several nutrient management practices on lentil in a split plot design, by adopting GenStat software. The treatment mean was compared by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at P ≤ 0.05.

3.1 Effect on growth parameters

Growth of lentil was recorded concerning plant height, production of dry matter, nodules number per plant and fresh weight of nodules per plant (Table 1 and Table 2). Between the growth years (2018-19 & 2019-20) plant height of lentil was found significant (p ≤ 0.01) only at 60 DAS and better growth was observed in 2019-20. Leftover impact of different nutrient management approaches applied in preceding rice was noteworthy (p ≤ 0.01) up to 90 DAS on plant height and was non-significant (p > 0.05) at harvest phase of lentil. Application of fertilizer on lentil was significant (p ≤ 0.01) at 30 and 60 DAS plant height of lentil, better growth was found in F₂ treatment and at 90 DAS, at harvest it was non-significant (p > 0.05). Interaction effect between year and residual reaction of fertilizer was found significant (p ≤ 0.01) at 60 DAS and 90 DAS and interaction effect among year, fertilizer application in lentil and residual effect of fertilizer was notable (p ≤ 0.01) at only 90 DAS of plant height of lentil. Dry matter accumulation of lentil was non-significant (p > 0.05) at all crop growing periods in both years. Residual fertilizer effect was observed significant [at 30 DAS, 60 DAS (p ≤ 0.01) and at 90 DAS (p ≤ 0.05)] at every step of crop advancement of lentil excluding at harvest (p > 0.05). Application of fertilizer played a significant difference in dry matter accumulation where F₂ showed better result in lentil at 30 DAS, 60 DAS (p ≤ 0.01) and at harvest (p ≤ 0.05). Interaction effect between fertilizer application in lentil and residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice was found significant (p ≤ 0.05). Amid different residual impacts of fertilizer implementation of 75% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 25% via FYM in preceding rice crop attained highest plant height and produced maximum dry matter of lentil at 90 DAS. Foliar spray of nano zinc accompanying recommended dose of nutrients performed in better vegetative expansion up to 60 DAS of lentil and plant height and production of dry matter was found to increase by 3.54 and 4.53% respectively at 60 DAS than application of only recommended dose of nutrients in lentil. Fresh weight and active nodules numbers per plant was non-significant (p > 0.05) in both lentil grown years at all data recorded stages. Residual fertilizer effect in preceding rice created significant variations in fresh weight of nodules per plant at 30 DAS (p ≤ 0.01) and 60 DAS (p ≤ 0.05) and in number of nodules per plant of lentil only at 30 DAS (p ≤ 0.01). Among the distinct nutrient management methods in preceding rice crop, result of 50% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 50% via FYM application was found maximum in quantity of nodules per plant and active nodules weight per plant of lentil at 30 DAS. Fertilizers application in lentil did not play any remarkable variance (p > 0.05) in both fresh weight and number of active nodules per plant of lentil at all growth stages. All interaction effects were also found non-significant (p > 0.05).

Table 1

Combined effect of recommended fertilizer dose with or without nano zinc on plant height and dry matter production of lentil under residual soil status of preceding rice
Treatments	Plant height (cm)				Dry matter production (g m^− 2)
Treatments	30 DAS	60 DAS	90 DAS	At harvest	30 DAS	60 DAS	90 DAS	At harvest
Year (Y)
Year 1	11.80 a	25.69 b	37.72 a	50.14 a	20.40 a	39.74 a	138.70 a	171.67 a
Year 2	11.74 a	27.23 a	38.31 a	50.68 a	20.61 a	39.70 a	140.19 a	171.57 a
Residual effect of fertilizer (S)
S₂	11.59 bcd	25.62 b	38.03 b	50.42 abc	19.88 c	39.14 bcd	139.06 ab	168.41 a
S₃	11.65 bc	27.33 a	40.55 a	50.23 abc	20.88 b	39.87 bc	142.94 a	171.49 a
S₄	12.55 a	28.41 a	40.47 a	51.32 ab	21.91 a	41.61 a	140.98 ab	174.30 a
S₅	11.36 cd	24.71 b	35.61 cd	49.66 bc	19.42 c	38.19 d	135.83 b	169.09 a
S₆	11.48 bcd	25.23 b	36.03 c	49.63 c	19.78 c	38.74 cd	136.38 b	170.70 a
S₇	11.93 b	27.30 a	38.46 b	51.47 a	20.90 b	40.51 ab	139.72 ab	174.12 a
S₈	12.48 a	28.49 a	40.03 a	50.47 abc	22.05 a	42.04 a	142.92 a	174.33 a
S₁	11.10 d	24.60 b	34.93 d	50.07 abc	19.20 c	37.67 d	137.69 b	170.54 a
Foliar Fertilizer application in lentil (F)
F₁	11.58 b	26.00 b	37.72 a	50.31 a	20.09 b	38.84 b	139.21 a	170.26 b
F₂	11.96 a	26.92 a	38.26 a	50.51 a	20.91 a	40.60 a	139.67 a	172.99 a
Source of variation
Y	ns	**	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S	**	**	**	ns	**	**	*	ns
F	**	**	ns	ns	**	**	ns	*
Y × S	ns	**	**	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	*	ns	ns
Y × S × F	ns	ns	**	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S₁ - residual effect of control (N₀P₀K₀) plot in preceding rice, S₂ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer applied in preceding rice, S₃ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₄ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₅ – residual effect of N₀P₀K₀ + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₆ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₇ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₈ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied to preceding rice crop
F₁ - RDF of N-P-K, F₂ - RDF of N-P-K + nano zinc spray @ 10 mg L^− 1
Year 1 and year 2 represent winter 2018–19 and 2019–20, respectively. Within year, residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice and foliar spray in lentil, numbers followed by different letters indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05 (otherwise statistically at par). ns, non-significant (p > 0.05). Significant at p ≤ 0.05. *Significant at p ≤ 0.01.

Table 2

Combined effect of recommended fertilizer dose with or without nano zinc on fresh weight of active nodules and number of nodules per plant of lentil under residual soil status of preceding rice
Treatments	Fresh weight (mg) of active nodules per plant			Number of active nodules per plant
Treatments	30 DAS	60 DAS	90 DAS	30 DAS	60 DAS	90 DAS
Year (Y)
Year 1	11.73 a	17.48 a	7.02 a	13.10 a	22.16 a	8.63 a
Year 2	12.07 a	18.02 a	6.78 a	12.91 a	11.81 a	8.94 a
Residual effect of fertilizer (S)
S₂	11.61 bc	18.50 a	6.81 a	12.21 cd	22.45 a	8.38 a
S₃	12.35 ab	18.50 a	7.04 a	12.88 bcd	23.11 a	8.93 a
S₄	13.26 a	18.15 a	6.77 a	14.42 a	23.13 a	8.59 a
S₅	10.97 c	16.34 b	6.59 a	12.44 cd	22.11 a	8.94 a
S₆	11.48 bc	18.22 a	7.15 a	13.07 bc	21.47 a	8.21 a
S₇	12.46 ab	18.32 a	7.45 a	13.43 b	23.01 a	9.04 a
S₈	12.42 ab	17.55 ab	6.79 a	13.50 b	22.89 a	9.27 a
S₁	10.65 c	16.45 b	6.58 a	12.08 d	21.74 a	8.93 a
Foliar fertilizer application (F)
F₁	11.79 a	17.72 a	6.90 a	12.96 a	22.27 a	8.83 a
F₂	12.01 a	17.79 a	6.89 a	13.05 a	22.70 a	8.74 a
Source of variation
Y	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S	**	*	ns	**	ns	ns
F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × S	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S₁ - residual effect of control (N₀P₀K₀) plot in preceding rice, S₂ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer applied in preceding rice, S₃ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₄ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₅ – residual effect of N₀P₀K₀ + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₆ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₇ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₈ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied to preceding rice crop
F₁ - RDF of N-P-K, F₂ - RDF of N-P-K + nano zinc spray @ 10 mg L^− 1
Year 1 and year 2 represent winter 2018–19 and 2019–20, respectively. Within year, residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice and foliar spray in lentil, numbers followed by different letters indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05 (otherwise statistically at par). ns, non-significant (p > 0.05). Significant at p ≤ 0.05. *Significant at p ≤ 0.01.

3.2 Effect on yield attributes and yield of lentil

The yield components and yield were recorded at maturity of lentil (Table 3). No significant diversity (p > 0.05) had been found in yield attributing characters and yield of lentil between two years. Residual impact of several nutrient management approaches in preceding rice considerably (p ≤ 0.01) enhanced number of branches, filled pods in each plant, seed and stover yield of lentil. Highest number of branches per plant and number of filled pods per plant were observed in 75% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 25% via FYM + nano zinc spray applied plot and 50% RD_N from commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% from FYM + nano zinc spray applied plot in preceding rice respectively. Use of 50% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 50% via FYM and 50% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 50% via FYM + nano zinc spray in previous rice crop was reported to produce significantly highest seed and stover yield respectively. Application of fertilizer in lentil had significant (p ≤ 0.01) impact in increased number of branches, filled pods per plant, seed yield, stover yield and harvest index of lentil. Effect of nano zinc as foliar spray with recommended dose of fertilizers in lentil was better than non-sprayed treatment. Higher number of branches and filled pods per plant was found as a result of foliar spray of nano zinc that resulted in seed and stover yield improvement by 10.17% and 3.70% respectively. Interaction effect between year and fertilizer application in lentil was found noteworthy (p ≤ 0.01) in number of branches of each plant. Year, residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice, fertilizer application in lentil and all interaction effects were observed irrelevant (p > 0.05) in number of seeds in every pod, test weight as well as protein content of lentil.

Table 3

Combined effect of recommended fertilizer dose with or without nano zinc on yield attributing characters, yield and protein content of lentil under residual soil status of preceding rice
Treatments	Yield attributing characters				Yield (t ha^− 1)			Protein content (%)
Treatments	No of branches per plant	No of filled pods per plant	No of Seeds per pod	Test weight (g)	Seed yield (t ha^− 1)	Stover yield (t ha^− 1)	Harvest index	Protein content (%)
Year (Y)
Year 1	3.58 a	75.59 a	1.78 a	19.55 a	1.24 a	2.20 a	0.36 a	21.38 a
Year 2	3.60 a	76.76 a	1.78 a	19.61 a	1.24 a	2.20 a	0.36 a	21.49 a
Residual effect of fertilizer (S)
S₂	3.30 b	69.52 b	1.77 a	19.54 a	1.17 b	2.13 b	0.35 ab	21.81 a
S₃	3.63 ab	78.34 a	1.79 a	19.54 a	1.25 ab	2.26 a	0.36 ab	21.35 a
S₄	3.86 a	83.32 a	1.83 a	19.65 a	1.35 a	2.28 a	0.37 a	21.19 a
S₅	3.26 b	71.84 b	1.75 a	19.56 a	1.16 b	2.14 b	0.35 b	21.35 a
S₆	3.38 b	72.03 b	1.76 a	19.55 a	1.17 b	2.12 b	0.36 ab	21.71 a
S₇	4.08 a	80.72 a	1.76 a	19.60 a	1.30 a	2.25 a	0.37 ab	21.17 a
S₈	3.96 a	83.42 a	1.82 a	19.64 a	1.34 a	2.29 a	0.37 ab	21.31 a
S₁	3.24 b	70.20 b	1.76 a	19.55 a	1.15 b	2.12 b	0.35 b	21.60 a
Foliar Fertilizer application in lentil (F)
F₁	3.27 b	74.14 b	1.76 a	19.52 a	1.18 b	2.16 b	0.35 b	21.42 a
F₂	3.91 a	78.21 a	1.79 a	19.64 a	1.30 a	2.24 a	0.37 a	21.45 a
Source of variation
Y	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S	**	**	ns	ns	**	**	ns	ns
F	**	**	ns	ns	**	**	**	ns
Y × S	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × F	**	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S₁ - residual effect of control (N₀P₀K₀) plot in preceding rice, S₂ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer applied in preceding rice, S₃ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₄ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₅ – residual effect of N₀P₀K₀ + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₆ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₇ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₈ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied to preceding rice crop
F₁ - RDF of N-P-K, F₂ - RDF of N-P-K + nano zinc spray @ 10 mg L^− 1
Year 1 and year 2 represent winter 2018–19 and 2019–20, respectively. Within year, residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice and foliar spray in lentil, numbers followed by different letters indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05 (otherwise statistically at par). ns, non-significant (p > 0.05). Significant at p ≤ 0.05. *Significant at p ≤ 0.01.

3.3 Effect on total nutrients uptake by lentil

Plant samples of both seed and stover of lentil from individual treatment were collected at maturity and used for estimation of N, P, K and Zn contents in it. The uptake of N, P, K and Zn in seed also in stover were then calculated by multiplying seed and stover yield along with specific nutrient amounts (Table 4). Plant sample uptake, seed sample uptake and complete uptake of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc) did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) between two lentil growing years. Residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice had considerable impact (p ≤ 0.05) on plant sample uptake of nitrogen and potassium but it was non-significant (p > 0.05) on plant sample uptake of phosphorus and zinc. Better and significant (p ≤ 0.01) plant uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc due to application of fertilizer effect in lentil was found in F₂. Seed sample uptake of nutrients failed to differ significantly (p > 0.05) caused by residual impact of fertilizer in preceding rice. Fertilizer application on lentil had shown significant (p ≤ 0.01) variation in all nutrient uptake by seed except phosphorus. Total nutrients uptake of nitrogen (p ≤ 0.05), phosphorus (p ≤ 0.05) and potassium (p ≤ 0.01) by lentil at harvest stage was altered considerably because of remaining impact of varied nutrient management practices in preceding rice but it remained non-significant (p > 0.05) in total zinc uptake. Higher quantity of total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc uptake was found in lentil grown in organic manure applied plots in preceding rice. Significant difference (p ≤ 0.01) in complete uptake of nitrogen, potassium and zinc was noticed in fertilizer application effect in lentil but it was found non-significant in total uptake of phosphorus (p > 0.05). Foliar spray of nano zinc besides recommended rate of fertilizers in lentil remarkably performed better uptake of total nitrogen, potassium and zinc that were increased by 7.83, 8.26 and 11.34% than non-sprayed treatment. Entire phosphorus uptake was noticed higher with implementation of recommended dose of fertilizers without nano zinc spray in lentil though that was not significantly varied between the treatments. All interaction effects were found non-significant (p > 0.05) in plant sample, seed sample and total uptake of nutrients.

Table 4

Combined effect of recommended fertilizer dose with or without nano zinc on nutrients uptake of lentil under residual soil status of preceding rice
Treatments	Plant uptake (kg ha^− 1)				Seed uptake (kg ha^− 1)				Total uptake (kg ha^− 1)
Treatments	Nitrogen	Phosphorus	Potassium	Zinc	Nitrogen	Phosphorus	Potassium	Zinc	Nitrogen	Phosphorus	Potassium	Zinc
Year (Y)
Year 1	46.84 a	5.24 a	24.09 a	0.055 a	42.25 a	4.26 a	10.55 a	0.047 a	89.09 a	9.50 a	34.65 a	0.102 a
Year 2	47.27 a	5.36 a	24.32 a	0.055a	42.46 a	4.20 a	10.59 a	0.047 a	89.73 a	9.56 a	34.91 a	0.102 a
Residual effect of fertilizer (S)
S₂	45.80 bc	5.34 abc	23.92 ab	0.054 a	40.83 ab	4.10 abc	9.99 a	0.045 ab	86.63 bc	9.44 ab	33.92 bc	0.099 ab
S₃	48.27 ab	5.40 abc	24.54 ab	0.057 a	42.63 ab	4.31 abc	10.63 a	0.048 ab	90.90 abc	9.72 ab	35.18 abc	0.105 ab
S₄	48.80 a	5.64 ab	25.37 a	0.057 a	45.57 a	4.61 a	11.70 a	0.051 a	94.37 a	10.25 a	37.06 a	0.108 a
S₅	45.75 bc	4.81 c	23.23 b	0.053 a	39.64 b	3.85 bc	9.90 a	0.044 ab	85.39 c	8.66 b	33.13 c	0.097 ab
S₆	45.61 bc	5.12 abc	23.12 b	0.055 a	40.67 ab	4.13 abc	9.95 a	0.044 ab	86.28 bc	9.25 ab	33.07 c	0.099 ab
S₇	48.29 ab	5.70 a	24.64 ab	0.056 a	44.18 ab	4.56 ab	11.34 a	0.050 ab	92.47 ab	10.26 a	35.98 ab	0.106 ab
S₈	48.86 a	5.41 abc	25.58 a	0.057 a	45.57 a	4.52 ab	11.39 a	0.051 a	94.43 a	9.93 a	36.97 a	0.108 a
S₁	45.07 c	4.98 bc	23.25 b	0.052 a	39.75 b	3.76 c	9.65 a	0.042 b	84.82 c	8.74 b	32.89 c	0.094 b
Foliar Fertilizer application (F)
F₁	45.79 b	5.60 a	23.38 b	0.052 b	40.24 b	4.14 a	10.01 b	0.044 b	86.04 b	9.74 a	33.40 b	0.097 b
F₂	48.32 a	5.00 b	25.03 a	0.058 a	44.46 a	4.33 a	11.13 a	0.050 a	92.78 a	9.33 a	36.16 a	0.108 a
Source of variation
Y	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S	*	ns	*	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	*	*	**	ns
F	**	**	**	**	**	ns	**	**	**	ns	**	**
Y × S	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S₁ - residual effect of control (N₀P₀K₀) plot in preceding rice, S₂ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer applied in preceding rice, S₃ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₄ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₅ – residual effect of N₀P₀K₀ + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₆ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₇ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₈ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied to preceding rice crop
F₁ - RDF of N-P-K, F₂ - RDF of N-P-K + nano zinc spray @ 10 mg L^− 1
Year 1 and year 2 represent winter 2018–19 and 2019–20, respectively. Within year, residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice and foliar spray in lentil, numbers followed by different letters indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05 (otherwise statistically at par). ns, non-significant (p > 0.05). Significant at p ≤ 0.05. *Significant at p ≤ 0.01.

3.4 Effect on soil chemical properties after harvesting of lentil

Chemical features of soil like soil pH, soil organic carbon, soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc were recorded from soil sample after harvesting of lentil (Table 5). No significant variation (p > 0.05) was found in soil chemical properties between two lentil growing years. Remaining impact of fertilizer in preceding rice and use of fertilizer in lentil unsuccessful to exhibit any considerable (p > 0.05) dissimilarities in soil chemical properties except soil available zinc. Residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice (p ≤ 0.05), fertilizer application effect in lentil (p ≤ 0.01) and effect of interaction (p ≤ 0.05) among year, application of fertilizer in lentil and residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice was significant in soil available zinc. Maximum soil available zinc following the harvest of lentil was found in 50% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 50% via FYM + foliar spray of nano zinc served plot in preceding rice.

Table 5

Combined effect of recommended fertilizer dose with or without nano zinc on soil chemical properties after harvesting of lentil under residual soil status of preceding rice
Treatments	Soil chemical properties
Treatments	Soil organic carbon (%)	Soil pH	Soil available nitrogen (kg ha^− 1)	Soil available phosphorus (kg ha^− 1)	Soil available potassium (kg ha^− 1)	Soil available zinc (mg ha^− 1)
Year
Year 1	0.56 a	7.40 a	155.57 a	22.27 a	177.75 a	0.81 a
Year 2	0.58 a	7.39 a	155.08 a	22.44 a	176.78 a	0.83 a
Residual effect of fertilizer
S₂	0.57 a	7.41 a	155.07 a	22.18 a	176.92 a	0.83 ab
S₃	0.53 a	7.39 a	157.20 a	21.63 a	178.07 a	0.83 ab
S₄	0.59 a	7.38 a	157.16 a	22.88 a	179.04 a	0.82 ab
S₅	0.55 a	7.41 a	152.47 a	22.73 a	176.83 a	0.81 b
S₆	0.62 a	7.41 a	155.98 a	22.62 a	177.42 a	0.80 b
S₇	0.55 a	7.41 a	156.28 a	22.00 a	177.37 a	0.80 b
S₈	0.62 a	7.41 a	155.50 a	22.56 a	178.13 a	0.85 a
S₁	0.54 a	7.39 a	152.97 a	22.24 a	174.33 a	0.82 b
Foliar Fertilizer application
F₁	0.57 a	7.40 a	155.24 a	22.55 a	176.67 a	0.80 b
F₂	0.57 a	7.40 a	155.42 a	22.17 a	177.86 a	0.84 a
Source of variation
Y	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	*
F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	**
Y × S	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	*
S₁ - residual effect of control (N₀P₀K₀) plot in preceding rice, S₂ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer applied in preceding rice, S₃ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₄ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₅ – residual effect of N₀P₀K₀ + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₆ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₇ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₈ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied to preceding rice crop; F₁ - RDF of N-P-K, F₂ - RDF of N-P-K + nano zinc spray @ 10 mg L^− 1; Year 1 and year 2 represent winter 2018–19 and 2019–20, respectively. Within year, residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice and foliar spray in lentil, numbers followed by different letters indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05 (otherwise statistically at par). ns, non-significant (p > 0.05). Significant at p ≤ 0.05. *Significant at p ≤ 0.01.

3.5 Effect on soil microbial population count

Soil microbial population enumeration was done from 30 DAS to at harvest stage of lentil with an interval of 30 days (Table 6). Population of soil microorganisms (bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi) failed to create considerable variation (p > 0.05) between two years at all growth stages of lentil. Population of bacteria was observed significant (p ≤ 0.01) due to residual soil fertility at initial crop growth stages (30 DAS and 60 DAS) and was non-significant (p > 0.05) at 90 DAS and at harvest of lentil. Maximum soil bacterial population was discovered in 50% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 50% via FYM with foliar spray of nano zinc applied plot and 50% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 50% via FYM treated plot in previous rice crop at 30 and 60 DAS respectively. Effect of fertilizer in lentil was found significant (p ≤ 0.05) only at 30 DAS and at other crop advancement phases it was non-significant. Interaction result between year and residual effect of fertilizer was noteworthy (p ≤ 0.05) in bacterial population. Residual fertilizer effect in soil had significant variation (p ≤ 0.01) in fungal growth at 60 DAS also in 90 DAS, whereas it was non-significant (p > 0.05) at initial and at harvest stage of lentil. Significant variation in soil fungal population was observed in 50% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 50% via FYM both with and without foliar spray of nano zinc treated plots in preceding rice at 60 DAS and in 75% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 25% via FYM with foliar spray of nano zinc applied plot at 90 DAS. Significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in fungal population due to fertilizer application effect in lentil was only noticed at 60 DAS and other crop growth stages were remained non-significant (p > 0.05). Actinomycetes population varied significantly due to residual soil fertility (p ≤ 0.01) at initial crop growth stages (30 DAS and 60 DAS) but it was non-significant (p > 0.05) at subsequent growth stages. Implementation of 50% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 50% via FYM + foliar spray of nano zinc and 75% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 25% via FYM + foliar spray of nano zinc in preceding rice recorded highest soil actinomycetes population in 30 and 60 DAS of lentil crop respectively. Application of fertilizer also showed significant variation in actinomycetes population at 30 DAS (p ≤ 0.05) and 60 DAS (p ≤ 0.01). All interaction results were non-significant (p > 0.05) for both fungal and actinomycetes population at all crop advancement phases of lentil.

Table 6

Combined effect of recommended fertilizer dose with or without nano zinc on soil microbial population after harvesting of lentil under residual soil status of preceding rice
Treatments	Bacteria [CFU (1× 10⁶) g^− 1 of dry soil]				Fungi [CFU (1× 10⁶) g^− 1 of dry soil]				Actinomycetes [CFU (1× 10⁶) g^− 1 of dry soil]
Treatments	30 DAS	60 DAS	90 DAS	At harvest	30 DAS	60 DAS	90 DAS	At harvest	30 DAS	60 DAS	90 DAS	At harvest
Year (Y)
Year 1	50.12 a	53.69 a	47.50 a	42.90 a	17.21 a	19.35 a	18.73 a	15.40 a	39.02 a	45.02 a	37.96 a	32.07 a
Year 2	50.67 a	54.04 a	48.96 a	43.62 a	17.52 a	20.04 a	18.85 a	15.33 a	39.44 a	43.83 a	36.69 a	31.63 a
Residual effect of fertilizer (S)
S₂	49.08 bc	51.57 bc	47.92 a	44.00 a	16.50 ab	17.58 b	17.50 bc	14.67 a	35.75 b	40.50 b	38.00 a	32.43 a
S₃	53.17 ab	58.58 a	49.25 a	44.75 a	18.25 ab	20.92 a	19.33 ab	15.25 a	42.75 a	48.00 a	39.58 a	32.34 a
S₄	53.92 ab	58.67 a	47.08 a	42.92 a	18.17 ab	22.42 a	20.33 a	15.08 a	42.83 a	48.58 a	38.17 a	31.14 a
S₅	45.75 c	50.08 bc	48.67 a	41.67 a	16.00 b	17.33 b	17.42 bc	16.00 a	35.50 b	40.17 b	39.00 a	32.14 a
S₆	47.67 c	50.92 bc	48.58 a	43.42 a	16.83 ab	18.08 b	18.58 abc	15.92 a	36.25 b	41.17 b	38.67 a	31.49 a
S₇	53.33 ab	56.33 ab	48.58 a	43.83 a	18.50 a	21.58 a	19.92 a	15.25 a	42.42 a	49.00 a	39.50 a	32.26 a
S₈	54.33 a	56.17 ab	48.33 a	43.42 a	18.42 a	22.42 a	20.25 a	15.00 a	43.92 a	47.58 a	39.25 a	31.11 a
S₁	45.92 c	49.00 c	47.42 a	42.08 a	16.25 ab	17.25 b	17.00 c	15.75 a	34.42 b	40.52 b	38.42 a	31.90 a
Foliar Fertilizer application (F)
F₁	48.56 b	52.83 a	48.15 a	43.31 a	17.17 a	18.90 b	18.33 a	15.60 a	37.67 b	43.00 b	38.65 a	31.87 a
F₂	52.23 a	54.90 a	48.31 a	43.21 a	17.56 a	20.50 a	19.25 a	15.12 a	40.79 a	45.85 a	39.00 a	31.83 a
Source of variation
Y	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S	**	**	ns	ns	ns	**	**	ns	**	**	ns	ns
F	*	ns	ns	ns	ns	*	ns	ns	*	**	ns	ns
Y × S	ns	ns	*	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns	ns
S₁ - residual effect of control (N₀P₀K₀) plot in preceding rice, S₂ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer applied in preceding rice, S₃ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₄ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₅ – residual effect of N₀P₀K₀ + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₆ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₇ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₈ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied to preceding rice crop
F₁ - RDF of N-P-K, F₂ - RDF of N-P-K + nano zinc spray @ 10 mg L^− 1 Year 1 and year 2 represent winter 2018–19 and 2019–20, respectively. Within year, residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice and foliar spray in lentil, numbers followed by different letters indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05 (otherwise statistically at par). ns, non-significant (p > 0.05). Significant at p ≤ 0.05. *Significant at p ≤ 0.01.

3.6 Effect of soil dehydrogenase enzyme activity

Dehydrogenase enzyme was estimated at distinct developmental phases of lentil in an interval of 30 days (Table 7). Dehydrogenase enzyme estimation was observed non-significant (p > 0.05) between lentil grown years at all crop growth stages. Residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice resulted in significant variation (p ≤ 0.01) only at initial crop growth stages (30 DAS and 60 DAS) but no notable diversity (p > 0.05) was noticed at later growing stages of lentil. Maximum dehydrogenase enzyme activity was recorded in 50% RD_N via synthetic fertilizer + 50% via FYM at 30 DAS and in 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM both with and without foliar spray of nano zinc applied plots in previous rice crop at 60 DAS. Fertilizer application in lentil also created significant effect at 30 DAS (p ≤ 0.05) and 60 DAS (p ≤ 0.01). Foliar application of zinc in nano form increased dehydrogenase enzyme activity by 1.75% and 1.42% at 30 and 60 DAS respectively. No interaction effect was found significant (p > 0.05) in dehydrogenase enzyme estimation at every crop advancement stage of lentil.

Table 7

Combined effect of recommended fertilizer dose with or without nano zinc on soil dehydrogenase enzyme activity of lentil under residual soil status of preceding rice
Treatments	Dehydrogenase enzyme (µg TPF g^− 1 hr^− 1)
Treatments	30 DAS	60 DAS	90 DAS	At harvest
Year (Y)
Year 1	4.02 a	4.24 a	4.00 a	3.70 a
Year 2	4.04 a	4.27 a	3.99 a	3.71 a
Residual effect of fertilizer (S)
S₂	3.98 b	4.19 b	4.03 a	3.75 a
S₃	4.09 a	4.31 a	3.99 a	3.70 a
S₄	4.14 a	4.35 a	4.01 a	3.68 a
S₅	3.92 b	4.16 b	4.00 a	3.72 a
S₆	3.95 b	4.20 b	3.96 a	3.69 a
S₇	4.11 a	4.31 a	4.04 a	3.71 a
S₈	4.13 a	4.35 a	3.99 a	3.75 a
S₁	3.91 b	4.16 b	4.00 a	3.69 a
Foliar Fertilizer application (F)
F₁	3.99 b	4.22 b	3.99 a	3.70 a
F₂	4.06 a	4.28 a	4.01 a	3.72 a
Source of variation
Y	ns	ns	ns	ns
S	**	**	ns	ns
F	*	**	ns	ns
Y × S	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × F	ns	ns	ns	ns
S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns
Y × S × F	ns	ns	ns	ns
S₁ - residual effect of control (N₀P₀K₀) plot in preceding rice, S₂ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer applied in preceding rice, S₃ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₄ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM applied in preceding rice, S₅ – residual effect of N₀P₀K₀ + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₆ – residual effect of 100% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₇ – residual effect of 75% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 25% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied in preceding rice, S₈ – residual effect of 50% RD_N through commercial chemical fertilizer + 50% through FYM + nano zinc spray applied to preceding rice crop
F₁ - RDF of N-P-K, F₂ - RDF of N-P-K + nano zinc spray @ 10 mg L^− 1
Year 1 and year 2 represent winter 2018–19 and 2019–20, respectively. Within year, residual effect of fertilizer in preceding rice and foliar spray in lentil, numbers followed by different letters indicate significant differences at p ≤ 0.05 (otherwise statistically at par). ns, non-significant (p > 0.05). Significant at p ≤ 0.05. *Significant at p ≤ 0.01.

Developmental characteristics at several crop growth phases of lentil revealed that plant height and production of dry matter enhanced accompanying the progress of the age of crop and attained the climax at full growth of the crop. Growth traits like plant height, production of dry matter, nodule growth as well as yield attributing characters such as number of branches per plant, number of filled pods per plant and yield of lentil had considerable effect as a result of leftover impact of combined nutrient management practices employed in rice (Mangaraj et al. 2022). Number of branches per plant and number of filled pods per plant of lentil were influenced due to organic manure application in preceding rice that resulted in higher seed yield in lentil. Organic manures helped in enhancing the prolonged accessibility of nutrients caused by the gradual decaying of manures. Due to having a higher C: N ratio, farm yard manure is persistent organic manure that results in slow decomposition. Consequently, the part of nutrients from organic sources unused by the rice crop is utilized for growth and development of succeeding lentil crop with improved physiochemical properties of soil. Bilkis et al. (2016) observed significant residual impact of conjunctive use of chemical and organic nutrients on yield attributes, yield also in nutrient absorption by green gram. Highest nutrients uptake by groundnut was delineated by Bharath et al. (2017) owing to remaining influence of organic manures and fertilizers levels to preceding maize crop. Significant result on soil microorganisms was found at early growing phases of lentil due to residual soil status of preceding rice where effect of FYM resulted better biological properties of soil. Effect of residual soil status on soil microbes also in dehydrogenase enzyme action at early growth stages of lentil was found because of carry over effects of farm yard manure applied in previous rice. FYM applied plots in preceding rice recorded higher dehydrogenase enzyme activity due to better microbial population activity at root rhizospheres during early stages of lentil growth.

Fertilization through foliage possess the ability to ameliorate the efficacy of nutrients by utilizing quick needed nutrient for obtaining maximum development and yield of the plant (Kandil and Eman 2017). Foliar application is the best replacement of soil application to avoid loss of fertilizers (Rietra et al. 2017). Increasing growth and yield parameters of black gram, horse gram, green gram and cowpea was obtained by Uma Maheswari and Kartik (2017) due to foliar spray of nutrients. According to Eisvand et al. (2018) zinc helps in producing more energy and assimilation of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids as well as phosphorus in the plant which effect positively on reproductive phases of plants. Increase in pollination and formation of fruit and seed are the resultant factor of zinc involvement in pollen tube development (Makarian et al. 2017) that improves yield by increasing number of seeds per plant. Pandey et al. (2006) reported application of zinc at reproductive phase of lentil influences the constructional and operational modifications in pollen grains also in stigma of the plants, leading to enhancement of seed settings in lentil as compare to unfertilized treatments. As per Dhaliwal et al. (2021) application of zinc as foliar spray facilitates smooth absorption and transportation within the lentil thus improving seed and stover yield. Notable betterment in lentil in respect of nodules number, plant height and seed yield observed by Singh and Bhatt (2015) due to foliar spray of zinc. Use of nano zinc as foliar spray was noticed favorable for lentil development (Siddiqui et al. 2018). Penetrability of lipid-loving organic molecules via the cuticle was improved by application of nanoparticles as foliar spray therefore, chances of nano zinc for absorption through surface of leaf and deliver ions to the other side of the cuticle is higher in comparison with water soluble ions (Da Silva et al. 2006). Reasons for getting better yield by using nano zinc oxide as compared to zinc sulphate may be wide surface area because of small size results in improved uptake of nanoparticles, reaching of nutrients to all plant parts through phloem transport was ensured because of high mobility of nanoparticles and greater availability of nano zinc oxide due to small size and less water solubility than bulk zinc sulphate (Prasad et al. 2012). According to Nair et al. (2010) small dimensions resulting high surface area of nano zinc, leading to higher reactivity and mobility in the plants are the reasons for improvement in yield components of plant and improved physiological activities of plant through enzymatic reactions that leading to enhancement in both economic and biological yields. Increasing precursor activity for producing higher biomolecules was explained as a positive effect of nano zinc by Choudhary and Khandelwal (2020). Same results were furthermore published by Korishettar et al. (2016) and Dhoke et al. (2013) due to positive effect of nano zinc oxide in different crops. Antioxidant systems in plants got triggered by nano zinc oxide resulting increase in proline build-up that are responsible for stability in plants and amelioration in photosynthetic efficiency which ultimately reflect in production of dry matter and yield Faizan et al. (2017).

Improved growth as well as development in peanut plant along with results through foliage spray of nano zinc oxide was observed by Prasad et al. (2012), in lentil by Siddiqui et al. (2018) and Kolenčík et al. (2022), in snap bean by Marzouk et al. (2019), in pearl millet by Tarafdar et al. (2014) and in chickpea by Pandey et al. (2010). Increased production of white beans due to improve in quantity of pods per plant and pod length was found by Azimi et al. (2022) with application of nano zinc. Makarian et al. (2017) found increased number of pods in each mung bean plant due to utilizing nano zinc. These experiments proved the performance of nano zinc oxide as foliar pray that leads to better vegetative growth, subsequently higher production. Effect of different nanoparticles on lentil have been studied by several experiments which include biosynthesized Au-nanoparticles by Abd El-Aziz and Al-Othman (2019), SiO₂- nanoparticles by Janmohammadi et al. (2015) and TiO₂-nanoparticles by Feizi et al. (2020).

Lentil root rhizospheres soil analysis data revealed that higher dehydrogenase enzyme activity in nano zinc treated plots compared to non-sprayed treatments which indicates about more microbial population growth in the rhizosphere soil. Increased root exudates due to improved photosynthesis may be a factor for higher microbial colony in the root zone (Thomas et al. 2017). Increasing availability of micronutrients as nanoparticles with improved chemical reactivity resulted in higher dehydrogenase enzyme synthesis and activity that was reported by (Vijayalaxmi et al. 2013).

Finally, it can be brought to an end with highest growth, yield attributing characters and yield of lentil can be obtained when lentil is grown under the residual fertility of rice grown with 50% recommended rate of nitrogen via chemical fertilizer accompanying 50% recommended rate of nitrogen via FYM. This treatment was also found to improve the soil microbial attributes and dehydrogenase enzyme action in soil. Foliar spray of nano zinc application was discovered to intensify the growth, yield attributing characters, yield of lentil and soil biological activities along with dehydrogenase enzyme particularly at initial and middle growth stages of the crop irrespective of residual fertility of previous crop.

Acknowledgments

We desire to convey our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jagadish Chandra Tarafdar, for kindly providing the liquid solution of nano zinc oxide. Also, our sincere thanks to the laboratory personnels of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, for their technical cooperation in the chemical analyses.

Funding Information

There has been no financial support provided for this work.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

Conflict of Interest

The authors announce that they have no conflict of interest.

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Impact of foliar spray of zinc in nano form on lentil grown under residual fertility of preceding rice

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Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Materials and Methods

2.1 Experimental area and soil characteristics of the location

2.2 Experimental design and treatments

2.3 Fertilizer application and nano zinc spray

2.4 Intercultural operations

2.5 Data collection

2.6 Chemical analysis of plant samples for total nutrients uptake

2.7 Chemical analysis of soil samples

2.8 Microbial population count

2.9 Dehydrogenase enzyme estimation

2.10 Statistical analysis

3. Results

3.1 Effect on growth parameters

3.2 Effect on yield attributes and yield of lentil

3.3 Effect on total nutrients uptake by lentil

3.4 Effect on soil chemical properties after harvesting of lentil

3.5 Effect on soil microbial population count

3.6 Effect of soil dehydrogenase enzyme activity

4. Discussion

5. Conclusion

Declarations

References

Status:

Version 1