Synthesis and characterization of potassium nanofertilizer from vermiwash

Abstract

A study was carried out to synthesize and characterize potassium nanofertilizer in an eco-friendly way from byproduct of vermicompost i.e. Vermiwash. Nutrient analysis of the synthesized nanofertilizer showed that the amount of macronutrients like N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na were increased by 1.04%, 0.95%, 0.98%, 0.04%, 0.06% and 0.02%, respectively. The micronutrients like Fe and B were increased by 3.85 ppm and 0.03 ppm, respectively. The amount of Cu, Zn, and Mn were increased by 0.02 ppm. The organic compounds, like carbohydrate, crude fat, crude protein, tryptophan and ash content were 0.34%, 0.03%, 2.98%, 0.05% and 0.01%, respectively. The average size of K nanoparticles in Vermiwash was found to be 34.6 nm with 100 % intensity through Dynamic Light Scattering technique (DLS). Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images of Vermiwash extract contributed to the findings showing nanospherical structure, of size range from 20 to 28 nm. On application of synthesized K nanofertilizer (20 ml/lit) in Toria crop, the germination rate increased from 26.2 % in control (without nanofertilizer) to 96.4 % after 7 days of plantation.