Urea Spray Research Articles

Effect of Different Nitrogen Levels and Nano Urea on Yield and Economics of Wheat under Mid Hills of Himachal Pradesh, India

Optimizing nitrogen levels, particularly through nano-urea application, significantly enhances wheat yield by improving nutrient uptake efficiency, leading to increased economic returns while minimizing environmental impact. A field experiment was conducted at Chamelti Agriculture Farm, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan during rabi season of 2023-24 to study the effect of different nitrogen levels and nano urea on yield and economics of wheat under mid hills of Himachal Pradesh. The field experiment was laid out in Split plot design consisting of four treatments in main plot and three treatments in sub plot. The treatments of main plot were comprising of four nitrogen levels viz., Control, 50% RDN, 75% RDN and 100% RDN (recommended dose of nitrogen) and three foliar spray of Nano urea in sub plot viz., at CRI stage, Tillering stage and Jointing stage. The recommended doses of fertilizers were applied in each plot. Phosphorous and potassium were applied as basal at the time of sowing through SSP and MOP. Nitrogen was applied in two split doses, half dose was applied through urea at the time of sowing as basal dose and remaining half dose was applied in two equal splits at the time of CRI and tillering stage. While, foliar application of nano urea was applied as per treatment @ 3 ml l-1 of water. Other operations were performed as per package of practices of this area. The results revealed that application of 100% RDN recorded significantly higher yield and economics. While, Foliar spray of nano urea at jointing stage resulted in significantly higher yield and economics of wheat viz., grain yield (kg ha-1), straw yield (kg ha-1), biological yield (kg ha-1), gross returns (₹ ha-1) and net returns (₹ ha-1).

Effect of Nutrient Management and Mulching on Growth Parameters, Yield Attributes and Yield of Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Emend Stuntz] in Western Region of India

Aim: To assessed the effect of nutrient management and mulching on growth parameters, yield attributes and yield of pearl millet. Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive year 2021 and 2022 at Agronomy farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Rajasthan). Study Design and Methodology: The 16 treatment combinations consist different nutrients and mulching sources with replicated four times and laid out in split plot design. Various plant growth parameters, yield attributes and yield were recorded with standard procedures. Results: Results showed that Mustard straw mulch @ 2.5 t/ha gave significantly higher growth parameters (plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of tillers per plant, number of leaves per plant and chlorophyll content), yield attributes (number of effective tillers per metre row length, ear head length, ear head diameter, weight of grains per ear and number of grains per ear) leading to increased grain yield (1930 kg/ha), stover yield (3748 kg/ha) and biological yield (5678 kg/ha) over control on pooled data basis. Results showed that Liquid Azospirillium gave significantly higher growth parameters (plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of tillers per plant, number of leaves per plant and chlorophyll content), yield attributes (number of effective tillers per metre row length, ear head length, ear head diameter, weight of grains per ear and number of grains per ear) leading to increased grain yield (1954 kg/ha), stover yield (3742 kg/ha) and biological yield (5697 kg/ha) over control on pooled data basis. Results further indicated that among nitrogen management practices 50% RDN through urea + 0.2% foliar spray of nano urea at 30 DAS proved significantly superior for growth parameters (plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of tillers per plant, number of leaves per plant and chlorophyll content), yield attributes (number of effective tillers per metre row length, ear head length, ear head diameter, weight of grains per ear, number of grains per ear and test weight) and grain yield (1919 kg/ha), stover yield (3742 kg/ha), biological yield (5661 kg/ha) over control and remained at par with treatment RDN through urea and 0.2% foliar spray of nano urea on mean pooled data basis. Among all the treatments, 50% RDN through urea + 0.2% foliar spray of nano urea at 30 DAS, Mustard straw mulch @ 2.5 t/ha and Liquid Azospirillium are fond best with respect to growth parameters, yield attributes and yield.

Influence of post-vegetative foliar application of nitrogen and selenium on micrometeorological parameters, phenology, and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Excessive and continuous use of commercial-grade fertilizers in large quantities during the post-Green Revolution era has led to significant environmental impacts, besides escalating the cost of production in staple crops. Such over-reliance on chemical fertilizers in intensive agriculture and a limited focus on balanced nutrient management have led to an increase in micronutrient deficiency in the sub-tropical part of India. This micronutrient deficiency leads to stunted growth, poor flowering, and reduced grain and fruit formation, directly impacting overall crop productivity. Hence, the introduction of nano form of fertilizers and integration of them with bulk/commercial form will help in improving the nutrient use efficiency, reduce production costs vis-a-vis enhancement in the plant growth, and yield more effectively than the traditional fertilizers. Proper nutrient management promotes healthy development at each stage, from seedling establishment to maturation and ripening, ensuring optimal yields and quality. Hence, fertilization directly and profoundly impacts the phonological stages of the crops. In this respect, a field experiment was conducted at Ludhiana and Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India, during the rabi season of 2021-22. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with four replications and 11 treatments. Besides an absolute control where no fertilizer was applied (T1), ten other treatments were commonly fertilized with the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), i.e., 125 kg N and 62.5 kg P2O5 ha-1). The treatment varied in applying bulk and nano N (6% urea) and Se (15 ppm) at reproductive phases. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) score and chlorophyll index improved with foliar spray of both bulk and nano urea forms alone or in combination with Se (bulk or nano). The effect of foliar sprays of urea and selenium, either in bulk or nano form, alone or in combination, was insignificant. The reproductive stages, viz. heading, grain filling, and physiological maturity, are prolonged with late season spray of 6% bulk or nano urea alone or in addition to bulk or nano selenium. Maximum days to grain filling was in a foliar spray of nano urea 6% along with nano selenium 15 ppm, further leading to higher grain and biological yield.

Effects of nano urea on Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) productivity and nutrient uptake in calcareous soils

The experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 at ICAR-Directorate of Rapeseed Mustard Research, Bharatpur, Rajasthan to assess the effect of nano urea (NU) spray in conjunction with different rates of soil applied fertilizer (conventional urea) N on growth, yield, nutrient content and uptake of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. and Coss.] in a calcareous soil of arid and semi-arid region. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated thrice The treatment combinations consisted of basal applications of fertilizers and foliar spray (FS) of nano urea (NU) either once 30 days after sowing (DAS) or twice 30 and 50–55 DAS. The field experiment comprised of 9 treatments, viz. Control; Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF); RDN25 + NU-1FS; RDN25 + NU-2FS; RDN50 + NU-1FS; RDN50 + NU-2FS; RDN100 + NU-1FS; RDN75 + NU-1FS; and RDN75 + NU-2FS. Results revealed that treatment RDN100 + NU-1FS (single sprays of nano urea together with the 100% prescribed dose of N) produced the maximum values of 24.30 and 66.62 q/ha yield of seed and stover, respectively. However, RDN75 + NU-2FS produced statistically comparable yield to the treatment RDN100 + NU-1FS. By applying nano urea, the recommended N dose can be reduced up to 25% without compromising yield. One FS of NU with RDN100 registered highest plant height, main shoot length, main shoot siliquae number, total siliquae number/plant and the number of secondary branches of the plant, and proved superior over other treatments. Further, results exhibited that RDN100 + NU-1FS increased N, P, and K uptake values to 66.74, 10.42, and 17.85 kg/ha in seed and 44.23, 9.48, and 78.98 kg/ha in stover. Overall, it has been determined that the most efficient way to increase the yield, concentration, and uptake of N, P, and K in Indian mustard is to apply nano urea foliar at 30 and 60 DAS in conjunction with RDF.

Effect of Nano Urea on Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Grafts Cv. Alphonso

This study aimed to determine the effect of application of foliar spray and drenching of nano urea on growth and survival of mango grafts cv. Alphonso. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and twelve treatments to assess various concentrations of nano urea at College of Horticulture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India. Treatments applied as a foliar spray and drenching of nano urea at different rates in which treatment of foliar application of nano urea at 1500 ppm showed best performance in survival percentage (95.11 %), graft height (44.99 cm), number of shoots (1.90), number of leaves (31.13), relative growth rate (0.0059 cm/cm/day), dry weight of root (13.44 g) and tap root length (27.10 cm). However, drenching treatment of nano urea at 1500 ppm showed good results in graft girth (10.60 mm) and treatment of foliar spray of nano urea at 500 ppm were found best for total leaf area (654.52 cm2). Among all the nano urea treatments, foliar spray of nano urea at 1500 ppm was the best owing to highest survival and better growth of mango grafts cv. Alphonso.

Effect of Different Nitrogen Levels and Plant Growth Regulators on Stomatal Resistance, Leaf Temperature and Transpiration Rate and Yield of Banana cv Ney Poovan

The present Study was carried out to understand the effects of certain plant growth regulators under different nitrogen levels on different gas exchanging parameters viz., stomatal resistance, leaf temperature, transpiration rate and yield of banana cv. neypoovan. Different levels of nitrogen viz.,150 g Nplant-1 (45g + 75g +30g N plant-1 at 3,5 and 7 MAP, respectively), M1 + Urea 2% foliar spray, 200 g N plant-1 (60g + 100g + 40g N plant-1 at 3,5 and 7 MAP respectively), M3 + Urea 2% foliar spray and foliar spray of salicylic acid 100 ppm, mepiquat chloride 500 ppm, chlormequat chloride 1000 ppm, nitrobenzene 50 ppm, benzyl adenine 20 ppm and 25 ppm of 2, 4-D at 3rd , 5th and 7th month after planting were given and compared with untreated control.Salicylic acid treated leaves showed high stomatal resistance with low transpiration. The yield components were favourably influenced by higher level of N application. Soil application of 200 g N plant-1 and giving two per cent urea spray on 3rd, 5th,and 7th month after planting distinctly enhanced all the yield components. Salicylic acid spray at 100 ppm improved the number of hands, fingers and finger size. Benzyl adenine at 20 ppm spray also was found beneficial in increasing yield components. More number of fingers per bunch were observed in benzyl adenine treatment. With maximum fruit weight, salicylic acid spray surpassed benzyl adenine by recording maximum bunch weight of 12.58 kg (13.9 % increase over control), while benzyl adenine recorded 12.52 kg (13.4 % increase).

Nutrient Management with Nitrogen Based Formulations for Enhancing Growth and Yield in Fodder Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Fertilizers play a vital role in agricultural practices by boosting crop yield. Among various nutrient application methods, foliar application is one of the cost - effective method which allow rapid and efficient nutrient absorption through the stomata or cuticle, and subsequently into the cells. Applying nutrients through foliage offers several benefits, such as rapid nutrient absorption by plant tissues, improved transport to developing plant parts, elimination of leaching and fixation losses, regulated nutrient uptake by crops and enhanced nutrient utilization. Timely foliar application of nano fertilizers enhances crop output while reducing environmental risks. The current study aimed to evaluate the different concentrations of nano urea on growth and yield of fodder sorghum. The study was conducted at Instructional Farm, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during December 2023- February 2024. The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 13 treatments, replicated thrice. The treatments were T1:75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + nano urea (0.2%); T2:75% RDN+ nano urea (0.4%); T3:75% RDN + nano urea (0.6%);T4:100% RDN + nano urea (0.2%); T5:100% RDN + nano urea (0.4%); T6:100% RDN + nano urea (0.6%); T7:75% RDN + urea spray (2%); T8:100% RDN + urea spray (2%); T9: nano urea alone (0.2%); T10: nano urea alone (0.4%); T11: nano urea alone (0.6%); T12: KAU POP and T13: Control (without nitrogen). Both nano urea and urea spray were applied at 20 DAS and 40 DAS. Soil application of nitrogen was applied in three splits - 50% as basal, 25% at 20 DAS and 25% at 40 DAS. Full P and K were applied as basal. The study revealed that combined application of RDN along with nano urea 0.4% proved its superiority by registering higher growth and yield attributes such as plant height, stem girth, leaf: stem ratio, green fodder yield and dry fodder yield.

Enhancing the productivity and nutritional quality of lentil (Lens culinaris L.) with combined foliar application of zinc and urea

There is need to enhance the nutritional quality of lentil for ameliorating nutrient deficiencies in people especially vegetarians. The study was carried out to investigate the effect of soil application of zinc (Zn) and foliar application of Zn and nitrogen [(N) through urea] on grain yield and enrichment of grain with Zn in lentil. The field experiments were conducted at two locations Ludhiana and Faridkot, India. The experiment was consisted of eleven treatments (control, soil application of 25 kg ha−1 ZnSO4 at sowing time, foliar spray of sole 0.5% ZnSO4 or 2% urea and combined foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 2% urea at flowering, pod formation, and flowering + pod formation stages). The foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 2% urea spray at flowering + pod formation stages significantly improved the grain yield, Zn and iron (Fe) concentration at maturity in stover and grain (whole as well as split) of lentil and protein content in stover and grain. The combined application of ZnSO4 (0.5%) + urea (2%) at flowering + pod formation stages can be done to improve not only the grain yield (on an average 29.5%) but also the Zn (49.7%) and Fe (17.4%) concentration in lentil grain, which, can help in ameliorating malnutrition in human population.

Yields, nutrient-use efficiencies and production economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum) as influenced by foliar nano urea

The nano fertilizers are becoming popular in crop production sector due to their higher nutrient use efficiency and also enhance the productivity and quality while requiring less input and being environmentally safe. In order to assess the effect of foliar application of nano urea on growth and yield performances of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and to evaluate nitrogen-use efficiency under integrated use of nano urea, this study was undertaken during the rabi seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 at the Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal. The experiment was laid-out in a randomized block design (RBD) having 13 treatments consisting of foliar application of water, nano urea (once at tillering and twice at tillering and jointing) and 5% urea in combination with each of 50,75 and 100% of recommended nitrogen doses (RDN) along with a control (without N), and each treatment was replicated thrice. It was observed that foliar application of nano urea (0.4%) twice at tillering and jointing stages with 100% (RDN 5,759 kg/ha) was statistically at par with 100% RDN + 5% foliar spray of urea twice at tillering and jointing stage (5,985 kg/ha) in terms of grain yield, the latter being the highest yielder. Foliar application of either urea or nano urea by curtailing 25-50% RDN did not brought about superior growth and yield performances. Under each level of RDN (100%, 75% and 50%), foliar application of 5% urea was a bit superior to nano urea, though the difference was not statistically significant. However, nano urea reflected higher nitrogen-use efficiency under all levels RDN; partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN) and agronomic nitrogen-use efficiency (ANUE) values be- ing the highest under 50% RDN along with two spraying of nano urea (56.76 and 24.50 kg grain/kg N). The treat- ment comprising 100% RDN+ 5% spray of urea at tillering and jointing stages resulted in the highest net return (69608 `/ha) and B: C ratio (2.58), closely followed by the treatment comprising nano urea application twice (gross return, net return and B: C ratio of 109,426 `/ha, 63,748 `/ha and 2.40, respectively) with 100% RDN, being statis- tically at par with each other. It can be concluded from this two-year trial that only foliar application of nano urea by curtailing soil nitrogen application to 25-50% resulted in reduced yield performances of wheat; nano urea had pro- motive effects on yields when it was applied along with 100% RDN.

Effect of different sources of nitrogen on productivity, profitability and N useefficiency of fodder oat (Avena sativa)

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2020-21, to assess the effect of different source of nitrogen on fodder yield, economics and N use efficiency of oat (Avena sativa L.). The experiment consisted of seven treatments viz. control (no N); recommended dose of N (RDN); 50% N through fertilizer + 50% N through FYM; 50% N through fertilizer + 50% N through vermicompost; 50% N through fertilizer + two sprays of nano-urea; two spray of nano-urea and site-specific nitrogen management (SSNM). Results showed that application of 50% RDN through fertilizer + two sprays of nano-urea produced 58.3 t/ha green fodder which was at par with all other treatments except two sprays of nano urea and control. However, green fodder yield reduced under two foliar sprays of nano-urea by 20.7% as compared to 100% RDN (59.2 t/ha). The SSNM treatment recorded the highest net returns (` 49947/ha) and benefit to cost ratio (1.45) which were significantly higher than all other treatments except 100% RDN and 50% RDN through fertilizer + two sprays of nano-urea. The nano-urea treatments exhibited the highest nitrogen use efficiency. The study suggested that 50% recommended dose of nitrogen through con- ventional fertilizer along with two sprays of nano-urea could be applied in oat to get higher nitrogen use efficiency without any yield reduction.

Effect of integrated nutrient management on the growth and yield of YellowSarson (Brassica rapa var. yellow sarson) under guava (Psidium guajava) basedagri-horti system

An experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2021–22 to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management on the growth and yield of yellow sarson under guava based agri-horti system. The field ex- periment comprised 8 treatment, viz., T1 , Control; T2 , 100% RDF + 30 kg S + 5 kg Zn; T3 , 50% RDF + 15 kg S + 2.5 kg Zn + 2.5 t/ha FYM+ 2 spray of nano urea; T4 , 50% RDF + 15 kg S + 2.5 kg Zn + 5 t/ha FYM+ one spray of nano urea; T5 , 75% RDF + 22.5 kg S + 3.7 kg Zn + 2.5 t/ha FYM + 2 spray of nano urea; T6 , 75% RDF + 22.5 kg S + 3.7 kg Zn +5 t/ha FYM + 1 spray of nano urea; T7 , 100 % RDF + 30 kg S + 5 kg Zn + 2.5 t/ha FYM; T8 , 100% RDF + 30 kg S + 5 kg Zn + 5 t/ha FYM, was laid out in randomized block design, with 3 replications. The results revealed that application of 75% RDF + 22.5 kg S + 3.7 kg Zn +2.5 t/ha FYM + 2 spray of nano urea at 30-35 DAS and pre-flow- ering stage (T5 ) gave significantly higher growth and yield attributes such as plant height (141.03 cm), dry matter accumulation (37.76 g/plant), no. of siliqua (142/plant), siliqua length (6.67 cm), test weight (3.43 g) as well as seed yield (1.49 t/ha) and stover yield (3.54 t/ha) as compared to control. The highest amount of nitrogen, phos- phorus, potassium and sulphur uptake by plant was also observed in the treatment T5. These findings provide valuable insights for farmers and researchers aiming to optimize nutrient management strategies and improve crop productivity in similar agri-horti systems.

Different Nitrogen Levels with Nano and Prilled Urea Spray on Productivity and Profitability of Maize (Zea mays L.) in alfisols of Jharkhand

A ground-breaking and enduring way to significantly reduce the use of conventional nitrogen fertilizer is to use nano-urea as a nitrogen supplement. The combination of nano and prilled urea was investigated in this study to address this issue and allowing for a 25% reduction in the recommended urea dosage. Research on rainfed maize during kharif season was conducted at ICAR-IARI Jharkhand. Twelve different combinations of conventional prilled urea, nano and prilled urea spray were investigated in the study. In the fields, the experiment used a randomized block design. Different treatments included applying prilled urea as a 2% solution in 150 liters of water per hectare and nano-urea at a rate of 1250 ml/acre applied twice through foliar application. Results showed that applying two additional applications of nano-urea along with 75% of the recommended dose of prilled-urea was the most successful fertilization strategy. This performed statistically equal with both the 100% recommended dose and the 100% recommended dose with two prilled urea spray applications in terms of yield, and cost-to-benefit ratio. The study's findings show that nano-urea can safely replace at least 25% of the dosage of prilled urea i.e. recommended, providing a more profitable and environmentally friendly method of cultivation.

Effects of irrigation and nutrients managements with plant intensification on rice under saline soil

The area of salt affected agricultural soils has grown on a global scale. The toxicity of salt and the unfavorable characteristics of the soil are two major causes of the low crop productivity on salt-affected soil. Thus, effective and economical management techniques are required for crop production which may sustainable. The experiments were conducted to identify appropriate irrigation and other management practices for higher yield of Boro rice at two locations (Horinkhola, Satkhira and Batiaghata, Khulna) of saline area during two successive years (2021 and 2022). Six treatments were used, consisting of continuous ponding of irrigation water along with recommended fertilizer (farmers practice, as control), and a range of combination of irrigation water and gypsum fertilizer and foliar spray of Urea, TSP, MOP and Zinc Sulphate. The results revealed that at both locations, the treatments showed significant difference and the highest yield (7.35 t/ha at Horinkhola and 6.75 t/ha Batiaghata) were obtained in treatment T5 [Continuous saturation (0-3cm) + 50% recommended fertilizer except MoP + K2SO4 equivalent to 50% K+ OM + no ridge, high density (15 cm x 10 cm) + Change of standing water 20 days interval + Foliar application of Urea-40 g, TSP-44 g, MOP-26 g and Zinc Sulphate 3g (4 times : 25, 35, 45, 60 DAT)]. Overall, this treatment produced 19% higher yield compared to farmer’s practice, along with maximum BCR (1.57) and net profit (52,004 Tk/ha). This technique can be adopted for higher yield in saline area. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Agric, 38(1): 53-64, 2024

Effect of Nano Urea on Growth, Yield and Nutrient uptake of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.)

Aim: The foliar application of nano urea is aimed at reducing the soil application of conventional urea. Nano fertilizers enhance crop growth and yield while enhancing nutrient uptake and reducing costs. They provide precise nutrient management, match crop growth stages, and offer an increased surface area for metabolic reactions. This boosts photosynthesis, leading to higher dry matter production and crop yield. Foliar application of nano urea (liquid) at tillering and booting stages in finger millet fulfills the nitrogen requirement and reflects higher crop productivity. Higher productivity of crops in a sustainable manner could be achieved by applying an appropriate combination of conventional fertilizers and nano fertilizers. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in split design with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was conducted in deep black soils at Agricultural Research Station, Siruguppa, during kharif 2022. Methodology: There were sixteen treatment combinations, consisting of different doses of nitrogen (no nitrogen, 50% RDN, 75% RDN and 100% RDN) with different concentrations of nano urea and conventional urea sprayed at tillering and booting stages for HR-13 variety of finger millet. Results: Application of 100% RDN has recorded significantly higher plant height, tillers plant-1, total dry matter accumulation, grain yield and straw yield (129.82 cm, 10.10, 36.17 g plant-1, 36.87 q ha-1 and 71.72 q ha-1, respectively) in comparison to no nitrogen and 50% RDN. However, 75% RDN (123.04 cm, 9.61, 34.02 g plant-1, 34.84 q ha-1 and 68.01 q ha-1, respectively) found on par with 100% RDN. Among foliar nitrogen, spray of nano urea @ 4 ml L-1 recorded significantly higher plant height (121.59 cm), tillers plant-1 (9.37), total dry matter accumulation (33.16 g plant-1), grain yield (31.97 q ha-1) and straw yield (65.52 q ha-1) compared to 0.5% and 1% conventional urea. However, nano urea @ 2 ml L-1 was on par with 4 ml L-1 nano urea and 1% conventional urea. Similar trend was recorded with regard to nutrient uptake by finger millet. Conclusion: Foliar application of nano urea reduced the dosage of conventional urea by 25 per cent.

Effect of Nano Urea on Growth, Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Irrigated Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In the rabi season of 2021-22, the investigation was conducted at Bihar Agricultural University Sabour, Bhagalpur (Bihar), to study the effects of nano urea on growth attributes, yield and nitrogen use efficiency of irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Randomized block design (RBD) with thirteen treatments in three replications was used. Treatments involved different levels of nitrogen i.e- 0, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) along with 5% urea solution and nano-urea applied at tillering and jointing stages. The results showed that 100% and 75% RDN with two sprays of nano urea significantly improved the yield attributes like plant height, Leaf area Index (LAI), test weight, dry matter accumulation and yield. This study gave the highest grain yield of 4573 kg h-1 for RDN + two spray of urea (5%) and 4492 kg h-1 from RDN + two spray of nano urea. The present study has also shown that application of 75% RDN with nano urea resulted in the highest NUE of 10.20 kg kg-1. This means that nano-urea can be used with conventional urea without an adverse effect on high productivity of wheat.

Influence of Foliar Application of Nitrogen through Urea and Nano Urea on Morphophysiological and Yield in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.)

A field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture Nagpur, during Kharif 2023 in randomized blocked design (RBD) with PDKV Yashshree (BFTM-82) variety, at Research Farm of Agricultural Botany Section, College of Agriculture Nagpur, with three replications and eight treatments. The results revealed that the best treatment 25 N kg ha-1 + two spray of nano urea @ 4 ml L-1 (T8) applied at tillering and pre-flowering stage was significantly superior as compared to other treatments which shows the highest value in morpho-physiological viz., Plant height (163.00 cm) at 80 DAS, days to 50% flowering (57.00), days to maturity (87.00), RGR (0.095 g-1 dm-2 day-1 ) at 60-80 DAS and CGR (0.82 g-1 cm-2 day-1) at 60-80 DAS and yield parameters viz., No. of panicle hill-1 (4.90), Panicle length (24.37 cm), No. of spikelet panicle-1 (66.07), Grain yield kg plot-1 (1.30),Grain yield kg ha-1 (1421.78),Harvest index (63.50%) of foxtail millet.

Effect of Nano Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Jodhpur during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The field experiment was tested in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with fourteen treatments replicated thrice. Results showed that the application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + seed treatment (ST) with nano DAP and two foliar sprays of nano urea at 35 and 55 days after sowing (DAS) was found the most effective treatment with recorded highest number of tillers (431/m2), length of spike (17.03 cm), number of spikes (414 /m2), number of grains (45.24 /spike), test weight (46.32) and grain yield (4399 kg/ha) on pooled basis. However, this treatment was found statistically at par with treatments of 100 per cent RDF + 2 foliar sprays (FS) of nano urea at 35 and 55 DAS, 100% RDF + FS of nano DAP at 35 DAS, 75% RDF + ST with nano DAP and 2 foliar spray of nano urea at 35 & 55 DAS but significantly superior over other treatments.

Nano Urea Fertilization in Sweet Corn Using Leaf Colour Chart and Its Effect on Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Broad based blanket recommendations of fertilizer nitrogen (N) in field may end up with lower N use efficiency because of large field-to field variability of soil N. At the identical time, crop should not suffer from the deficiency of N. Nitrogen fertilizer must be applied only when necessary and must be based on the crop’s nitrogen status. So, keeping in view the significance of N on productivity, a field experiment was conducted during summer seasons of 2022 and 2023 on medium black calcareous soil at Junagadh (Gujarat) to study nano urea fertilization in sweet corn using leaf colour chart (LCC) and its effect on nitrogen use efficiency. Ten treatments comprising 40 kg N as basal (through DAP and urea) + 40 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS (days after sowing) + 40 kg N through urea at 40-45 DAS (T1), 40 kg N as basal + 40 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + two foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% (4 ml/l water) when LCC ≤ 4 (T2), 40 kg N as basal + 30 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T3), 40 kg N as basal + 20 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + four foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T4), 40 kg N as basal + 20 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T5), 40 kg N as basal + 10 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + four foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T6), 40 kg N as basal + 10 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T7), 40 kg N as basal + four foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T8), 40 kg N as basal + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 (T9) and control (without N application) (T10) in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Recommended dose of 60 kg P2O5 and 60 kg K2O/ha were applied uniformly to all the plots as basal application. The experimental results revealed that 40 kg N as basal + 40 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + two foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 recorded significantly the highest nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by cob and fodder and their total uptake by sweet corn, which remained at par with T3 and T1. Significantly maximum available nitrogen in soil after harvest of sweet corn was noted with T1, which remained at par with T2, T3 and T4. It can be concluded that nano urea fertilization in sweet corn using leaf colour chart ultimately resulted in improved nitrogen use efficiency, which also sustained the fertility of medium black calcareous soil.

Response of Sweet Corn to Nano Urea under Precision Nitrogen Management

A lack of synchronization between nitrogen (N) demand and supply results in the loss of applied nitrogen from the soil-plant system. Leaf colour chart (LCC) based nano urea application according to crop specific need has the potential to enhance the crop productivity by reducing N losses. In this context, a field experiment was conducted during summer seasons of 2022 and 2023 on medium black calcareous soil at Junagadh (Gujarat) to study the response of sweet corn to nano urea under precision nitrogen management. Ten treatments comprising 40 kg N as basal (through DAP and urea) + 40 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + 40 kg N through urea at 40-45 DAS, 40 kg N as basal + 40 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + two foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% (4 ml/l water) when LCC ≤ 4, 40 kg N as basal + 30 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4, 40 kg N as basal + 20 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + four foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4, 40 kg N as basal + 20 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4, 40 kg N as basal + 10 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + four foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4, 40 kg N as basal + 10 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4, 40 kg N as basal + four foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4, 40 kg N as basal + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 and control (without N application) in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Based on the results of two-years field study, it can be concluded that higher growth, green cob and fodder yields, quality, net returns and B: C ratio of sweet corn can be obtained by the application of 40 kg N as basal + 40 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + two foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 or 40 kg N as basal + 30 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + three foliar spray of nano urea 0.4% when LCC ≤ 4 or 40 kg N as basal + 40 kg N through urea at 25-30 DAS + 40 kg N through urea at 40-45 DAS.

Foliar spray of urea and nano-urea on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

Foliar spray of urea and nano-urea on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)