Nurwulan Agustiani¹, Sujinah^1*, Etty Pratiwi¹, Wiwik Hartatik^1*, Antonius Kasno¹, Chendy Tafakresnanto¹, A. Arivin Rivaie^1*, Terry Ayu Adriany¹, Selly Salma¹, Antonius Fransisco Nababan², Fasa Aditya Hanindipto³, Yudhistira Nugraha¹

¹Research Center for Food Crops, Research Organization Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, KST Soekarno, Cibinong, West Java, Indonesia

²Directorate for Laboratory Management, Research Facilities and Science and Technology Park, National Research and Innovation Agency, KST Soekarno, Cibinong, West Java, Indonesia

³Indonesian Fertilizer Holding Company, Jakarta, Indonesia

 

*Corresponding author’s email: sujinah@brin.go.id; wiwik_hartatik@yahoo.com; aari001@brin.go.id

Received: 02 August 2025 / Revised: 28 November 2025 / Accepted: 16 December 2025 / Published Online: 21 January 2026

 

Abstract

 

Nano-nitrogen (nano-N) fertilizers have been developed to boost the efficiency and lessen the environmental footprint of conventional nitrogen (N) fertilizers in lowland rice cultivation. This study examined the impact of combining nano-N with existing N fertilization on rice leaf physiology. A greenhouse experiment tested five concentrations of nano-N (0 to 4 mL L^-1) alongside a one-third reduction in the standard N rates across Aeric Epiaquents, Vertic Endoaquepts, and Typic Endoaquepts. Observations were made primarily on leaf dry weight, leaf area, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, dissolved sugar levels, nitrate reductase activity (NRA), and glutamine synthase activity. The results showed that nano-N application increased chlorophyll a and b levels and enhanced NRA even with a 50% reduction in top-dressed nitrogen, equivalent to 46 kg of urea. In particular, the 2 mL L^-1 nano-N treatment resulted in 34% higher starch and 28% more total non-structural carbohydrates than farmer-practice fertilization, driven by increased chlorophyll at panicle initiation and elevated NRA during grain filling. These findings suggest that nano-N fertilization can increase chlorophyll content, enzyme activity, and carbohydrate accumulation in rice leaves, providing a promising approach to improve nitrogen use efficiency, reduce environmental risks linked to overfertilization with N, and enhance yields through improved plant physiological processes.

 

Keywords: Nano-nitrogen, Non-structural carbohydrate, Physiological traits of leaves, Rice plant, Soil types

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