Nano-Molybdenum is a valuable alternative to non-nano-Molybdenum fertilizers for winter wheat grown in acidic soil

Abstract Due to the essential role of nano-fertilizers in crop production, studies have yet to be conducted to evaluate nano-molybdenum (Mo) application on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The present study assessed the efficacy of nano-Mo on the Mo-uptake, plant growth, and winter wheat yield. Wheat was grown in the pot experiment using four experimental groups (deionized water: C, nano potassium molybdate: NMoK, potassium molybdate: MoK, and ammonium molybdate: MoA), each with six replicate samples applied-foliar three times in a 30-day interval. The results from the present findings advocated that NMoK improved Mo accumulation in seed, stomatal conductance, root dry weight, yield, and the number of spikes per pot of wheat compared with MoK. The principal component analysis (PCA) explains that 28 of 32 variables are in the positively correlated variable area, including yield parameters, photosynthetic machinery, and Mo uptake by the plant organs. The three application groups were separated, showing that NMoK had a more substantial effect on the 28 variables than MoK. Our results suggested that the nano-Mo is an adequate substitute for non-nano-Mo fertilizers when applied to winter wheat grown in acidic soil.