Effect of foliar application of nano-urea on yield, nutrient uptake and biochemical properties of rainfed cotton in Vertisols

Abstract

A field study entitled, “Effect of foliar application of nano-urea on yield, nutrient uptake and biochemical properties of rainfed cotton in Vertisols” was conducted at research field of AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra during the year 2023-24 in Kharif season. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatment and three replications. Nine treatments comprised of control (no fertilizer), 100% RDF (60:30:30 NPK kg ha-1), 100% RDF and spraying of Nano-urea (once-60 DAS), 100% RDF and spraying of Nano-urea (twice- 60 & 90 DAS), 100% RDF and spraying of Nano-urea (thrice-45, 60 & 90 DAS), 75% RDN + Recommended PK, 75% RDN + Recommended PK and spraying of Nano-urea (once-60 DAS),75% RDN + Recommended PK and spraying of Nano-urea (twice- 60 & 90 DAS), 75% RDN + Recommended PK and spraying of Nano-urea (thrice-45, 60 & 90 DAS). The results indicated that the application of 100% recommended NPK and spraying of Nano-urea @ 4 ml/liter resulted in higher nutrient uptake and yield of cotton and was on par with 100% RDF. However, application of 100% recommended NPK and spraying of Nano-urea @ 4 ml/liter resulted in higher improvement in biochemical properties of cotton in Vertisols under rainfed conditions.