Effect of liquid nano-urea fertilizer under different nitrogen levels on physiological parameter of pearl millet (Penisetum glaucum L.)

Abstract

Pearl millet is a crucial cereal crop in India, particularly for arid and semi-arid regions. However, its productivity is often limited by insufficient nutrient availability and poor fertilizer efficiency. This research investigated the potential of nano urea a new fertilizer technology to enhance plant growth in pearl millet. Field experiments were conducted over two consecutive summer seasons (2022 and 2023) using a randomized complete block design with twelve treatments and three replications. The study site had loamy sand soil with slightly alkaline pH. Pearl millet was grown and various nano urea treatments were applied in combination with urea at different rates and timings. These included foliar sprays of liquid nano urea fertilizer at specific days after sowing (DAS). The findings revealed significant effects of nano urea treatments on chlorophyll content and leaf area compared to the control. Treatment T10 (100% recommended dose of nitrogen through urea with foliar sprays of 4 mL/L liquid nano urea fertilizer at 25 and 50 DAS) consistently exhibited the highest chlorophyll content at all measurement stages (25, 50 DAS, and harvest) and leaf area at harvest across both years. Research suggested that applying both conventional urea and foliar nano urea to pearl millet crops has a synergistic effect. This combination improves physiological parameters like chlorophyll content and leaf area, resulting in increased crop productivity.