Studies on the Effect of Nano-Urea on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Transplanted Rice

Abstract

Rice is a staple crop that feeds a large section of the world's population, and conventional urea fertilisers have played an important role in increasing rice yields. However, nano urea, a game-changing invention in modern agriculture, represents a big step forward in terms of sustainable and efficient crop production. The experiment was carried out at wetlands farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during Navarai season, 2022 in a Randomized block design with eight treatments and three replications. The main objective is to enhancing the growth and yield of rice through foliar application of nano urea. The rice variety CO 55 was taken up for the study with the RDF of 150:50:50 NPK kg ha-1. The experimental details viz; T1 -100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) (150 kg N) through urea (25% each at basal, AT, PI and heading stage), T2 - 100% RDN (150 kg N) through urea (50% as basal+ two top dressing 25% each at AT & PI), T3 - 50% RDN (75 kg N) through urea (basal only) , T4 - 50% RDN (75 kg N) through urea (basal only) + two foliar sprays of nano urea at 20th and 40th DAT, T5 -50% RDN (75 kg N) through urea (basal only) + three foliar sprays of nano urea at 20th, 40th and 60th DAT, T6 -25% RDN (37.5 kg N) through urea (basal only) + three foliar sprays of nano urea at 20th, 40th and 60th DAT, T7 -Foliar sprays of nano urea at 20th 40th and 60th DAT (no basal application), T8 -Control (0% N). Based on the experimental results show that, among the treatments the higher plant height, leaf area index and yield should be obtained in the T5 treatment ie; reduced basal nitrogen application as 50%, with nano urea foliar spray.