Urea Spray Research Articles

Effect of Nano Urea on growth, yield and nutrient use efficiency of Okra under tropical island ecosystem

The field experiment was conducted during 2021-22 at Garacharma, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair to study the effect of nano urea (liquid) on the growth and yield of okra under island conditions. The treatment combinations consist of basal applications of fertilizers and foliar spray of nano urea in two concentrations (2 % and 4% concentrations). The results revealed that nano spray resulted in higher okra yield(9.6 %) than NPK addition through chemical fertilizers. While increased concentration of nano spray (4%) had significant impact on the growth and yield parameters due to increased availability of N within the plant system. Though Rs. 600- 1200 respectively were incurred as additional cost on account of application of nano spray (0.2 - 0.4%), the nano spray (N66 PK and 0.4 % Nano urea) contributes to additional okra yield (1.32 t ha-1, 9.6%), additional monetary benefit (Rs.65,561) than only NPK addition through chemical fertilizers (100 % RDF). Further, there is significant difference between Nano spray at 0.2 % and 0.4% spray though higher concentration of (0.4%) nano spray gave 7.5-16 % higher yield and 17- 29 % higher netreturn. Further, the increased efficiency of nano urea resulted in saving of nitrogen fertilizer to the extent of 25-34%. At the same time nano urea had no significant negative impact on soil properties and socio-root micro environment by the accumulation of excess mineral N. Hence, it can be concluded that spraying of nano urea is proved to be beneficial for island ecosystem as it lead to increased yield and saving of chemical fertilizer thereby reducing the accumulation of N in the environment.

Soil type and integrated nitrogen nutrient-rice straw residue management techniques affect soil microbes, enzyme activities and yield of wheat crop

Sporadic burning of rice straw and the particulate air pollution caused consequently have created a pressing need for identification of practical environmentally sound in situ rice residue management methods. However, the agronomic interventions associated with the agri-inputs particularly the type of nitrogen fertilizer source must be worked out for these interventions. In a two-year field study performed at two different locations representing sandy loam and clay loam soil types, zero tillage with application of nitrophosphate (applied as basal dose through drilling) in combination with urea (applied at 1st irrigation + 3 foliar sprays of urea at weekly interval) significantly enhanced the grain and straw yield of wheat. The soil microbial viable cell counts and dehydrogenase and urease enzyme activities were also recorded to be highest in this treatment indicating the occurrence of higher living microbial population. The treatment × response variable Principle component analysis (PCA) biplot depicted relative variation among the residue management treatments/Nitrogen fertilizer sub-treatments and the enzyme activities as response variables. A variation in the soil organic content components was recognized through Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IRS) studies. Irrespective of the soil types under study, the FT-IR spectra exhibited presence of the aromatic carbon functional groups in residue incorporated treatments as compared to the no residue incorporation treatment.

Effect of Added Urea Foliar Spray and Leaf Clipping on Growth and Yield Response of Mungbean

An experiment was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, during March to May 2018 to study the impact of added urea foliar spray and leaf clipping on growth and yield of mungbean. The experiment was laid out in Split-plot Design with three replications and composed of four levels of urea foliar spray viz. F0 = Recommended Fertilizer (RF) + No Foliar Spray (FS), F1 = RF + 1% Urea FS at Flower Initiation (FI), F2 = RF + 2% Urea FS at FI, F3 = RF + 3% Urea FS at FI and four levels of Leaf clipping viz. C0 = No leaf clipping, C1 = Clipping 1 basal leaf, C 2 = Clipping 2 basal leaves, C3= Clipping total apical leaves having no inflorescence. Results indicated that foliar spray and leaf clipping had significant effect on most of the growth and yield contributing parameters. In case of foliar spray of urea, the maximum plant height, nodules plant-1, highest above ground dry matter plant-1, pods plant-1, pod length, seeds pod-1, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, stover yield and biological yield were recorded from F0. In case of leaf clipping, all growth and yield attributes were recorded highest from C1. Regarding combined effect, the highest growth and yield parameters were recorded from the treatment combination of F0C1. So, F0 along with C1 is suggested for yield improvement in mungbean cultivation.
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2022, 25(2): 57-65

Effect of nitrogen schedule and management on yield of late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum) in rice–wheat system

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2016–17 at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the effect of nitrogen level and its schedule on late-sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop. The soil of the experimental field was well-drained, sandy loam, alkaline (pH 7.80), low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and potassium with an electrical conductivity 0.25 d/Sm. Eleven treatments comprising control, recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) for timely as well as late-sown wheat (variety ‘PBW 226’) with different application schedule were tested in randomized block design with 3 replications. Growth parameters were significantly better in the treatments where major portion of N was applied during early growth period. The highest grain yield and harvest index were recorded in T8 treatment where 60% of recommended N in accordance to timely sown wheat was applied at sowing. This treatment was found statistically similar to T4 , [RDN for timely sown wheat 150 kg N in 2 split-50% N basal and 50% at crown-root initiation (CRI)], T6 (RDN for timely sown wheat 150 kg N in 3 splits-60% N basal, 30% at CRI and 10% at tillering) and T10 (RDN for timely sown wheat 150 kg N in 3 splits-60% N basal, 34% at CRI and 2% urea spray at tillering). Growth and yield-attributing characters were comparatively higher in T8 treatment. Available nutrients in soil after harvesting of wheat were found variable under different treatments.

Effect of Application of Nano-urea on Maize (C-1415 Variety) Growth and Yield under Punjab Conditions

To meet the increasing demand for food due to the increasing population, nitrogen fertilizers are being used extensively. Uncontrolled use of nitrogen leads to decreased soil health along with polluting the environment. Maize is one of the important crops in the rainfed regions of Punjab. Therefore, there is a need to optimize the usage of nitrogen fertilizers and that’s where nano fertilizers come in. The current investigation was conducted in an RBD (Randomized block design) with 9 treatments and 3 replications. The study showed that the application of 75 % RDN + foliar spray of nano urea 0.1% at knee high and tasseling stage gave superior results concerning growth and yield attributes in kharif maize. However, since the application of 75 % RDN + 2 foliar spray of nano urea at knee high and tasseling stage was significantly at par with a full doze of RDN, therefore this might be an appropriate management alternative for sustainable cultivation practice of maize.

Integrated Management of Papaya Ring Spot Virus (PRSV) In Papaya

Papaya Ring Spot Virus (PRSV) is one of the major obstacles for boosting papaya production in the country. There is no curative control measure available through conventional methods. Precautionary measures for PRSV incidence viz. rouging, cross protection, vector controls separately are not much effective. Hence an integrated management strategy involving raising of papaya seedlings under Nylon net (40-60 mesh) and spraying of acephate 1.5g/litre, 3 days before planting. Use of two rows of border crop viz. maize (sown 15 days before planting)+. Spraying of urea @ 10g/liter + zinc sulphate @1.5g + boron @ 1.0g per litre recorded reduced PRSV incidence of 42.7 % with maximum average yield of 49.68 kg/tree compared to control with maximum PRSV incidence of 95.6 % incidence with reduced yield of 23.76 kg/tree at 150 days after planting.

Growth and yield of herbage coriander as influenced by foliar spray of urea

Growth and yield of herbage coriander as influenced by foliar spray of urea

Mechanized urea spraying system for balers to enhance the nutritional quality of straw: a step to prevent straw burning

Mechanized urea spraying system for balers to enhance the nutritional quality of straw: a step to prevent straw burning

Development and verification of model predictive control strategy for selective catalytic reduction with rapid prototyping

The International Maritime Organization has set forth strict regulations about the NOx emission limit of ships to address the pollution problem in the transportation sector. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is the most effective post-engine means to reduce emission, and the control of urea spray critically affects the SCR performance. This paper developed a predictive control strategy of the SCR system based on the state space model. Specifically, the block model of the SCR reactor was established based on the reaction mechanism of the SCR system, and the unknown model parameters were identified. Rapid prototyping of the SCR system was carried out using the dSPACE real-time simulation platform to optimize the control under steady-state conditions. The catalyst ammonia coverage was set as the control target to maximize the NOx conversion rate while maintaining the NH3 escape at the outlet less than 10 ppm. The cyclic test results showed that the control strategy can quickly respond to external disturbance and modify the control target to keep the ammonia coverage rate within the target range, to thus achieve high NOx conversion rate while maintaining the required ammonia escape.

Response of N P S doses and urea foliar spray on lentil under guava (Psidium guajava) + lentil (Lens culinaris) based agri-horti system

An experiment was conducted at research farm of Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Barkachha, Mirzapur situated in eastern Uttar Pradesh during winter (rabi) season of 2021–22 with the objective to study the response of nitrogen, phosphorous, sulphur doses and urea foliar spray on lentil growth attributes, yield attributes, yield and economics under guava + lentil based agri-horti system. Results revealed that the higher growth, yield attributes, yield, net monetory returns and benefit-cost ratio were recorded under N23.5+P60+S40 which was at par with N20+P50+S30. In case of varied doses of foliar spray of urea, foliar spray of 2% urea at pre-flowering stage fb 2% urea at pod initiation stage recorded significantly higher growth, yield, yield attributes and economics which was at par with foliar spray of 2% urea spray at pre-flowering stage. Moreover, between the sowing of the lentils and the harvest, the guava's growth attributes were also increased. Therefore, under rainfed conditions of Vidhyan region of eastern Uttar Pradesh, application of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur @20, 50 and 30 kg/ha as basal application along with foliar application (spray) of 2% urea at pre-flowering stage (45 DAS) to lentil crop was found to be better option for higher profitability under guava plantation.

Yield performance of normal and late sown wheat in response to seed priming and foliar applied nutrients

An investigation was carried out to determine the impact of seed priming i.e. non-primed and primed seed with 2.0% KCl for 12 hr and twice foliar nutrition i.e. no spray, 0.5% ZnSO4, 0.5% CaCl2, 0.5% KNO3, and 2.0% urea on yield execution of normal sown (November 28) and late sown (Late sown) wheat. The results revealed that in both years of study, wheat planted on November 28 produced significantly higher grain yield with a comparable difference in number of spikes per square meter, spike length, number of fertile spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, and 1000-grain weight. There was 23.0% and 24.0% decrease in grain yield for the late sowing on Late sown when compared with normal sowing on November 28 in first year and second year, respectively. Primed seeds were not significantly impacted in comparison to the non-primed seed. In contrast with no spray, spraying of various nutrients twice at maximum tillering and 80% flowering recorded significant improvement in yield of wheat crop. Highest yields were recorded with a foliar spray of 2.0% urea followed by 0.5% ZnSO4, 0.5% KNO3, and 0.5% CaCl2. The significant interaction between sowing dates and foliar spraying demonstrates that foliar spray of urea at the rate of 2.0% and ZnSO4 at the rate of 0.5% at maximum tillering and 80% flowering stage were financially more reasonable choices for both the planting dates and can increase grain yield.

Evaluation of the Foliar Application of Nano Urea on the Performance of Rabi Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

A study was conducted on clayey soils (vertisols) of southern Telangana zone (India) characterized by low soil organic carbon, low available nitrogen and medium available phosphorous (P) and high available potassium (K). The experiment involving seven nitrogen (N) management practices (T1 to T7) involving recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) as soil application, varied rates of foliar application of nano urea (liquid) was laid out in randomized block design replicated thrice. All the treatments were supplied with basal 50% of soil applied urea fertilizer at the time of sowing except in T1 (No nitrogen application) treatment. Results revealed that application of recommended dose of fertilizers in three splits as soil application resulted into significantly highest growth, yield ( 1774 kg) and yield attributes of sunflower, and was found profitable (Benefit:Cost ratio = 3.47) over foliar application of varied rates of nano- urea spray. Foliar application of nano urea @ 2-4 ml L-1 in T3 to T7 treatments could significantly improve growth and yield of sunflower (by 546 to 744 kg) when compared to no nitrogen application treatment. However foliar application of nano urea showed significantly lesser growth and yield compared to soil application of RDF in three splits in rabi sunflower.

Particle sized distribution simulation for an industrial fluidised bed urea granulator by PNB method considering non-uniform growth rate

ABSTRACT The present work is an extension of the PNB method. Contrary to the previous works, it is assumed that the growth rate of particles/granules is not constant along the granulator length and it depends on the granule mass flow rate and molten urea spray mass flowrate. With these assumptions, the governing equations were extracted, and the analytical solution was derived. Since this method is based on the particle number and the measured data are mass-based (defined based on mass fraction distribution), a general procedure was also proposed to transfer between number-based and mass-based quantities. Finally, the results were compared with measured data taken from a large-scale industrial urea granulator and close agreements were observed. This method is introduced as an effective tool for the simulation of other applications, like driers.

Growth and yield response of lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) to planting density and nutrient management

Planting density and nutrient management practices may affect lowland rice production. This study was conducted to evaluate their effects on growth and yield of lowland rice (NSIC Rc400), determine the appropriate number of seedlings hill-1 and nutrient management for optimum yield, and assess their profitability on rice. A split-plot arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design was used with three replications. Planting densities (M1=1 seedling hill-1 and M2=3-5 seedlings hill-1) were designated as mainplots while nutrient management practices as subplots;T1=0-0-0 (Control), T2=120–60–60kg ha-1 N, P2O5, and K2O, T3=60–30–30kg ha-1 N, P2O5, and K2O + 2.5t ha-1 vermicast + biweekly foliar urea spray, T4=45–30–30kg ha-1 N, P2O5, and K2O + 2.5t ha-1 vermicast + weekly foliar urea spray, and T5=30–30–30kg ha-1 N, P2O5, and K2O + 2.5t ha-1 vermicast + weekly foliar urea spray. Results revealed that M1 produced more filled spikelets panicle-1 regardless of nutrient management. Early heading and maturity were noted at T1, T4, and T5 treatments. Integrated nutrient application at T3 significantly increased growth, and yield parameters of lowland rice with higher gross income and benefit-cost ratio, next to the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer (T2). This was due to the high labor and material cost incurred with the integrated nutrient application. Highest net income and benefit-cost ratio were obtained with M1 and T2. Transplanting 1 seedling hill-1 with combined inorganic and vermicast application (T3) seemed appropriate for NSIC Rc400 especially if the farmer has his own vermicast production.

Effect of Foliar Application of GA3, NAA and Urea on Fruit Physiological Characterstics of Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk.) cv. Banarasi Karaka

Among subtropical fruits Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana L.) one of the most common fruit crop, grown under neglected soil types. It is a drought hardy and can grow under the most hazardous conditions of soil, water and climate and thus it has rightly been recommended for the arid and desert area of India [1]. It is found growing wild as well as in cultivated forms throughout the warmer regions up to an altitude of 1500 metres above Mean Sea Level. The experiment comprised 13 treatments consisting of foliar spray of GA3, NAA, Urea and control. The treatments are as follows- T0 Control (water spray), T1 (GA3 @10 ppm), T2 (GA3 @20 ppm), T3 (NAA @20 ppm), T4 (NAA @40 ppm), T5 (Urea @1.0%), T6 (Urea @1.5%), T7 (GA3 @10 ppm + NAA @20 ppm + Urea @1.0%), T8 (GA3 @20 ppm + NAA @40 ppm + urea @1.5%). Mentioned solutions with different concentration were sprayed by foot sprayer in the morning hours and selected branches were fully drenched. On the basis of sprays of plant growth regulators i.e. GA3 and NAA and urea as well as their combined treatments influenced different parameters in this research trial. The combined treatments of GA3 20 ppm + NAA 40 ppm + urea 1.5% maximized initial fruit set, fruit retention, fruit volume, length of fruit, fruit diameter, fruit weight, pulp weight, pulp/stone ratio and minimized the fruit drop, stone weight content. The second effective treatment was GA3 10 ppm + NAA 20 ppm + urea 1.0% identified in present investigation.

Melatonin Attenuates the Urea-Induced Yields Improvement Through Remodeling Transcriptome and Rhizosphere Microbial Community Structure in Soybean.

Foliar application of nitrogen to enhance crop productivity has been widely used. Melatonin is an effective regulator in promoting plant growth. However, the effects of melatonin and the combination of melatonin and nitrogen on soybeans yields production remain largely unknown. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of spraying leaves with melatonin and urea on soybeans. Foliar application of urea significantly increased soybean yields and melatonin did not affect the yields, while combination of melatonin and urea significantly reduced the yields compared to the application of urea alone. A leaf transcriptional profile was then carried out to reveal the underlying mechanism and found that foliar spraying of urea specifically induced the expression of genes related to amino acid transport and nitrogen metabolism. However, foliar application of melatonin significantly changed the transcriptional pattern established by urea application and increased the expression of genes related to abiotic stress signaling pathways. The effects of melatonin and urea treatment on soil microbiome were also investigated. Neither melatonin nor urea application altered the soil microbial alpha diversity, but melatonin application changed rhizosphere microbial community structure, whereas the combination of melatonin and urea did not. Melatonin or urea application altered the abundance of certain taxa. The number of taxa changed by melatonin treatment was higher than urea treatment. Collectively, our results provide new and valuable insights into the effects of foliar application of melatonin to urea and further show that melatonin exerts strong antagonistic effects on urea-induced soybean yields, gene expression and certain soil microorganisms.

Nitrogen Fertigation Rate and Foliar Urea Spray Affect Plant Growth, Nitrogen, and Carbohydrate Compositions of Encore Azalea ‘Chiffon’ Grown in Alternative Containers

The objective of this study was to investigate the plant vegetative growth, flower production, nitrogen (N) concentration, and carbohydrate compositions of Encore® azalea ‘Chiffon’ when fertigated with five N rates—0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mM N—and grown in two types of containers, a black plastic and a biodegradable container, during one growing season. Foliar urea of 3% was applied to half of the plants in late fall to investigate its effect on plant N and carbohydrate concentrations. The paper biocontainers resulted in superior plant growth, increased plant size, dry weights, root length and surface area compared with the plastic containers with N rates of 10, 15, and 20 mM. The paper biocontainers also increased N uptake and carbohydrate concentrations mainly by increasing plant biomass. High N rates of 10 to 20 mM combined with urea spray and biocontainers generally resulted in the highest plant N concentrations. Foliar urea application in late fall tended to increase plant N concentration but decreased carbohydrates, including starch, glucose, fructose, and sucrose, to varying degrees, likely due to increased N assimilation. Fall foliar urea spray can be effective in improving the N status of azalea plants without affecting plant biomass.

Comparative performance of foliar application of urea and nano urea on finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn)

During the recent time, small millets are re-evaluated as ‘nutri-cereals’ because of their nutritional quality. Among various small millets, finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) is of prime importance due to its potential in terms of production and productivity. Though finger millet is a less nutrient demanding crop, improved varieties respond well to added nutrients. Nitrogen is the most limiting macro-nutrient that determines the crop productivity. However, soil application of nitrogen in the form of chemical fertilizer might be subjected to different losses. Foliar application of urea is a well-known strategy to abate acute deficiency at any crop growing stage. Recent developments in the field of nano-technology and release of IFFCO nano-urea enhance the scope of nitrogen supplementation with increased efficiency. To evaluate the comparative performance of foliar application of urea and nano-urea in finger millet, a field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2021–22 at Experimental Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in a randomized completely blocked design (RCBD) with 11 treatments, replicated thrice. The results revealed that the treatment consisting of 40 kg N/ha + 2 sprays of nano urea @ 4 ml/L applied at tillering and pre-flowering stage was superior to the rest of the treatments in terms of growth, yield parameters and yield of finger millet. However, 20 kg N/ha+2 sprays of nano urea @ 4ml/L recorded at par results with sole soil application of 40 kg N/ha. Therefore, it was concluded that application of 20kg N/ha+2 sprays of nano urea @ 4 ml/L could be an economical and sustainable strategy to optimize the use of nitrogen in finger millet in southern Odisha.

Growth and productivity of rabi maize as influenced by foliar application of urea and nano-urea

Globally, to meet the increased food demand due to the rapidly expanding population, overuse of nitrogen-based fertilizers is escalating. Unprecedented use of nitrogen besides polluting the environment, it brings about amplified susceptibility to biotic and abiotic stress. Maize is the predominant crop in rainfed regions of Southern Odisha. Hence, there is a need to optimize the use of nitrogen based fertilizers using nanotechnology. In this regard, the present investigation was set out in randomized block design with 11 treatments and three replications. The study revealed that adoption of 100% RDN + foliar spray of nano-urea @ 4ml/L, twice at knee stage and tasseling stage was superior in influencing morphology, yield attributes and yield of rabi maize. However, since adoption of 75% RDN + foliar spray of nano urea @ 4ml/L at knee stage and tasseling stage was significantly at par with 100% RDN this might be a most appropriate managerial alternative to achieve sustainability.

Effect of Foliar Application of Nitrogen and NAA (Naphthalene Acetic Acid) on Yield and Economics of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif (Autumn) season 2021 at Experimental Field of the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Praygraj, Uttar Pradesh, India which is located at 250 30’ 42’’N latitude, 810 60’ 56” E longitude and 98 m altitude above mean sea level. The treatments consisted of three levels of urea spray – 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% and four levels of Naphthalene Acetic Acid [NAA] spray – 0ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm and 75 ppm. The Treatments were applied as foliar spraying after 20 and 40 days after sowing. The Experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with twelve Treatments replicated thrice on the basis of one year experimentation. To determine the “Effect of foliar application of nitrogen(N) and NAA on yield and economics of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). The results showed that treatment with the application of N (Urea) 2.0% + NAA at 25 ppm recorded significantly highest number of pods per plant (16.93), number of seeds per pod (14.33), pod dry weight (4.17 g), test weight (18.42 g), seed yield (1436.26 kg ha-1), haulm yield (2651.97 kg ha-1). However, Maximum gross returns (1,20,204.7 INR ha-1), net returns (87,414.74 INR ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.66) were also reported in the same treatment of Nitrogen (Urea) 2.0% + NAA at 25 ppm.