Evaluating the combined effects of nano urea and conventional fertilizers on soil health and properties

Abstract

An experiment was carried out in field of Agriculture Research Station, Sindewahi, district Chandrapur, Maharashtra, India during the kharif season of 2023-2024 to study the “Evaluating the combined effects of nano urea and conventional fertilizers on soil health and properties”. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with seven treatments and four replications. The different treatment combinations were, T1 - Control, T2 - 100:50:50 NPK kg ha-1 (RDF), T3 - 50:50 PK kg ha-1 as basal dose + 100% RDN through nano-urea (two splits foliar application at 30 to 35 DAT and 45 to 50 DAT), T4 - 50:50:50 NPK kg ha-1 as basal dose + 50% RDN through nano-urea (two splits foliar application at 30 to 35 DAT and 45 to 50 DAT), T5 - 50:50:50 NPK kg ha-1 as basal dose + 25% N at 30 to 35 DAT + 25% RDN through nano-urea at 60 to 65 DAT, T6 - 50:50 PK kg ha-1 as basal dose + 100% RDN through nano-urea (three splits foliar application at 30 to 35 DAT, 45 to 50 DAT and 60 to 65 DAT), T7 - 25:50:50 NPK kg ha-1 as basal dose + 75% RDN through nano-urea (two splits foliar application at 30 to 35 DAT and 45 to 50 DAT). The results of the study revealed that, the maximum available nitrogen was observed (182.75 kg ha-1) with the application of 50:50:50 NPK kg ha-1 as basal dose + 25% N at 30 to 35 DAT + 25% RDN through nano-urea at 60 to 65 DAT (T5). The maximum available phosphorus (13.83 kg ha-1), potassium (330.62 kg ha-1) and sulphur (23.24 mg kg-1) were observed with the application of RDF 100:50:50 NPK kg ha-1 (T2). The available micronutrients which show non-significant effect to foliar application of nano urea. Maximum available Fe (5.90 mg kg-1), Mn (8.78 mg kg-1), Zn (0.67 mg kg-1) and Cu (0.47 mg kg-1) observed in treatment T4. The fertilizer 50:50:50 NPK kg ha-1 as basal dose + 25% N at 30 to 35 DAT + 25% RDN through nano-urea at 60 to 65 DAT maintain the fertility status of soil.