Using Nanochelating Technology for Biofortification and Yield Increase in Rice

Iron is a vital microelement that plays an important role in plant metabolism. Consuming a large amount of chemical fertilizers increases the risk factors of neoplastic diseases such as heavy metals and harmful components in crops edible parts. Therefore, utilizing novel technologies to increase yields without requiring more chemical fertilizers seems essential. In this regard, nanotechnology holds considerable potentials for creating valuable outputs in agriculture. The effect of nano chelated iron fertilizer, which is synthesized based on novel nanochelating technology, on agronomic traits and yield of rice were evaluated in the present study. A randomized complete block experiment was conducted with 3 replicates. The treatments were: T0 (control), T1 (2.5 g/L foliar application twice at nursery with a one-week interval), T2 (foliar application at tillering + T1), T3 (foliar application at booting + T1), T4 (foliar application at tillering and booting + T1), T5 (8 kg/ha soil application at tillering + T1), T6 (8 kg/ha soil application at booting + T1), T7 (4 kg/ha soil application at tillering + 4 kg/ha soil application at booting + T1). Nano chelated iron fertilizer increased biological yield by 27% and decreased hollow grain number by 254%; in addition, it raised protein content by 13%. This fertilizer also led to increase in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc concentrations in white rice by 46%, 43%, 41%, 25% and 50%, respectively. Nanochelating technology can decrease the need for chemical fertilizers; additionally, this technology has the capability to bio-fortify crops with vital micronutrients.