Sulfur Nanoparticle-Coated Urea Improves Growth and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Wheat and Rice

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by scientists at the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in Islamabad, Pakistan, has led to a breakthrough in the use of sulfur nanoparticle-coated urea (SNPCU) in improving crop yields and reducing nitrogen loss. The study, published in Frontiers in Nanotechnology, demonstrated that SNPCU can increase growth and yield parameters in both wheat and rice, while also reducing nitrogen loss and enhancing nitrogen use efficiency.

Key Takeaways:

  • SNPCU at all doses increased the growth and yield parameters of both crops, with the maximum increase observed in SNPCU90.
  • SNPCU90 increased the nitrogen recovery efficiency by 34% to 36% in wheat varieties and 26% to 30% in rice varieties.
  • SNPCU90 decreased urease activity up to 37% to 52% on day 2 and 16% to 25% on day 15 in wheat and rice, respectively.
  • This delay increased the duration of N availability in soil for wheat and rice plants, resulting in increased nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) till 15 days.
  • SNPCU at lower rates can be used for large-scale testing in fields for reducing N losses and improving yields.
  • The research was conducted by Ahmad Faraz, Asma Imran, Hammad Raza, Muhammad Iqbal, and Asma Rehman from the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering.

Statistics:

  • Up to 39% increase in chlorophyll content in SNPCU90-treated crops.
  • Up to 20% increase in carotenoids and proteins in SNPCU90-treated crops.
  • Up to 60% increase in sugars and amino acids in SNPCU90-treated crops.
  • 5% or more increase in agronomic efficiency in SNPCU90-treated crops.
  • 10% or more increase in grain weight in SNPCU90-treated crops.
  • 6% or more increase in harvest index in SNPCU90-treated crops.
  • 70% or more increase in N uptake in SNPCU90-treated crops.
  • 34% to 36% increase in nitrogen recovery efficiency in wheat varieties using SNPCU90.
  • 26% to 30% increase in nitrogen recovery efficiency in rice varieties using SNPCU90.

Sources:

  • Sulfur nanoparticle-coated urea improves growth and nitrogen use efficiency in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.). Frontiers in Nanotechnology, 2025,7. doi: 10.3389/fnano.2025.1565608
  • NewsRx. Study Data from National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Provide New Insights into Nanoparticles [Sulfur nanoparticle-coated urea improves growth and nitrogen use efficiency in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rice (Oryza ...]. Life Science Weekly. August 5, 2025; p 4565.