Seed-Primed and Foliar Oxozinc Nanofiber Application Increased Wheat Production and Zn Biofortification in Calcareous-Alkaline Soil

Low Zinc (Zn) availability in alkaline calcareous soil is one of the major causes low cereal yield and quality. Conventional application Zn sulfate (ZnSO4) fertilizer through attains minimal efficiency as it readily fixed such soils. Oxozinc nanofiber (ZnONF) was evaluated for wheat biofortification using different methods to tackle this issue. Pots triplicate (each with 7 kg soil) were arranged a completely randomized design control treatment without application. The conventional ZnSO4 recommended dose (5.5 µg kg−1 used comparison applied addition, foliar spray, seed priming, while ZnONF coating, priming (@ 0.5 ha−1) either alone or combination ½ZnSO4 soil. significantly improved plant growth evidenced by increased height (14.5%), spikelets per spike (13.7%), use efficacy (611%) regardless compared control. highest uptake (34%) nanofibers obtained theseed primed, followed coating (23%) foiar (7%), respectively. Moreover, at combined application, further improvements length, number spike−1, grain, leaf, root, stem concentrations, well their respective contents, noted. These results elucidated that nutrition par higher than despite reduced quantity, irrespective method used. Additionally, (foliar priming) maximized crop accumulation, wherein + exceeded grain biofortification. Thus, various modes may be separately deficient soils nourishment.