Improving Maize Physiological Attributes by Regulating Urease Activity and Zinc Availability in Rhizosphere Through Bioactivated Zinc-Coated Urea (Engro Zabardast Urea)

The major cause of reduced Zn availability to plants in Pakistan is unfavorable soil factors (alkaline pH and calcareousness). Different strategies can be adopted, to enhance the Zn bioavailability in the rhizosphere and cereals. Among all strategies, a novel technique is the coating of Zn on macronutrient fertilizers like urea. By adopting this technique, dual benefits can be achieved for example Zn and N become available to plants and on the other hand, the loss of urea can be minimized. Firstly, Engro Zabardast Urea was taken from Engro Fertilizers Pvt. Ltd and evaluated for coating effect onurease activity and Zinc release pattern with time (up to 70 days). Then 100%, 90%, 85%, and 80% recommended EZU (Engro Zabardast Urea) were tested to find out the increase in urea efficiency by coating. From the results of the release experiment, it was concluded that EZU @ 90% of the recommended dose showed maximum results of Zn release respective to time and vice versa for urease activity. Secondly, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the above-mentioned prepared products on agronomic parameters and Zn and nitrogen concentration in 45 days of maize seedlings. Zn concentration in maize seedlings increased with the application of 90 and 85% of the recommended EZU, respectively. Similar results were found under field conditions with the application of 90% of recommended EZU growth, physiological parameters, and grains and stover yield were improved and Zn contents in grains were enhanced. From the results of all experiments, it can be concluded that EZU is a fantastic product not only to increase Zn bioavailability/fortification but also to reduce nitrogen losses. This product has the potential to reduce the use of plain urea by up to 10%. This ecofriendly approach cannot only reduce extra labor costs but also the ignorance of Zn application by the farming community can also be addressed.