Exploring slow-release plasma nitrogen nano-fertilizer for improved maize production and nutrient use efficiency

The use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer in maize production is constrained by scarcity, low use efficiency, and high costs. Plasma technology presents a more environmentally friendly nitrogen source (PN). When incorporated into nanocellulose composites to control fertilizer release (NPN), they improve N supply and mitigate environmental risks, thereby optimizing benefits. However, the productivity of NPN relative to urea and its nanoform (NU) remains unexplored. Screenhouse and field experiments were conducted twice on maize using five fertilizer treatments: control, urea, PN, NU, and NPN. All treatments were applied once at 66 kg N ha^-1 and replicated four times. Maize cultivated in plots treated with nano-fertilizers showed increased plant height, chlorophyll content, and stem and leaf area. Similarly, maize yield components, including kernel row number, grains per row, and 100-seed weight, were enhanced by the application of nano-fertilizers. Compared to urea, NU and NPN increased the grain yield by 46-49% and 34-85%. Compared to PN, the increases were 8-53% and 36-37%, respectively. Nano-fertilizers boosted yield by 81-235% relative to the control. Furthermore, the Nitrogen Recovery Efficiency increased to 84% and 83% for NU and NPN, respectively, from 16-57% for urea and 10-50% for PN. The uptake affected plant utilization, causing higher Agronomical Efficiency in maize with nano-fertilizer application. The high performance of nano-fertilizers, once validated through economic and on-farm evaluations, suggests that urea and PN nanoencapsulation could enable a single application to meet all N requirements for maize production. These findings indicate that the use of nano-fertilizers can reduce nutrient loss, fertilizer requirements, and the associated environmental risks.