Effect of nano-urea application on yield and economics of kharif maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment “Effect of nano-urea application on yield and economics of kharif Maize (Zea mays L.)” was conducted during Kharif, 2023 at Post Graduate Research Farm, Agronomy Section, College of Agriculture, Dhule. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with eleven treatment and three replications. The treatments consisted of viz., T1- Absolute control (No fertilizer), T2-Water spray at 20,40 and 60 DAS, T3-100% N through urea, T4-75% N through urea + 25% N through two foliar sprays of nano urea at 20 and 44 DAS, T5-75% N through urea+ 25% N through three foliar sprays of nano urea at 20, 40 and 60 DAS, T6-50% N through urea+ 50% N through two foliar sprays of nano urea at 20 and 40 DAS, T7-50% N through urea+ 50% N through three foliar sprays of nano urea at 20,40 and 60 DAS, T8-75% N through urea+ 25% N through three foliar sprays of 2% urea, T9-50% N through urea+ 50% N through three foliar sprays of 2% urea, T10-75% N through urea+ 25% N through three foliar sprays of 2 ml/ L nano urea, T11-50% N through urea+ 50% N through three foliar sprays of 4 ml/ L nano urea. Seed of maize hybrid variety NK 6540 was used. The crop was sown at spacing 75 cm × 20 cm. The gross plot size was 7.00 m x 6.00 m and net plot size was 6.20 m x 4.50 m.The grain (66.74 q ha-1) and stover yield (86.76 q ha-1) were significantly more in application of 100% N through urea (T3) which was statistically at par with application of 75% N through urea+ 25% N through three foliar sprays of nano urea at 20, 40 and 60 DAS (T5) and application of 75% N through urea + 25% N through two foliar sprays of nano urea at 20 and 40 DAS (T4).Maximum and significantly higher gross monetary returns (₹ 1,87,203 ha-1), net monetary return (₹ 1,09,913 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.42) higher in application of 100% N through urea (T3) which was statistically at par with application of 75% N through urea+ 25% N through three foliar sprays of nano urea at 20, 40 and 60 DAS (T5) and application of 75% N through urea + 25% N through two foliar sprays of nano urea at 20 and 40 DAS (T4).Among the different nutrient management treatments application of 100% N through urea with 60 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 40 kg ha-1 K2O or 75% N through urea+ 25% N through three foliar sprays of nano urea at 20, 40 and 60 DAS 60 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 40 kg ha-1 K2O or 75% N through urea + 25% N through two foliar sprays of nano urea at 20 and 40 DAS 60 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 40 kg ha-1 K2O to maize crop exhibited higher grain yield (q ha-1), stover yield (q ha-1), gross monetary returns (₹ ha-1), net monetary return (₹ ha-1) and B:C ratio than rest of treatments.