Nano urea effects on nitrogen use efficiency and yield potential of wheat under limited irrigation

Abstract

Effect of nano urea was tested under field condition at WRU, Dr. PDKV, Akola (Maharashtra State) during the rabi 2023-2024. The experiment was laid out in randomize block design (RBD) having ten different treatment combinations with three replications. The treatment includes T1- One spray of Nano urea (NU) (4 ml/litre) at highest tillering (30-35 DAS), T2-Two spray of NU (4 ml/litre) at tillering (30-35 DAS) and jointing (40-45 DAS),T3- 80 Kg ha-1 N (1/3rd basal, 2/3rd CRI – 80 Kg ha-1 N), T4- 80 Kg ha-1 N + one spray of NU (4 ml/litre) at tillering (30-35 DAS), T5- 80 Kg ha-1 N + two spray of NU (4 ml/litre) at tillering (30-35 DAS) and jointing (40-45 DAS), T6 - 80 Kg ha-1 N + one spray of urea (2%) at tillering (30-35 DAS), T7 - 80 Kg ha-1 N + two spray of urea (2%) at tillering (30-35 DAS) and jointing(40-45 DAS), T8 - 80 Kg ha-1 N + one spray of urea (2%) + NU (4 ml/litre) at tillering (30-35 DAS), T9 - 80 Kg ha-1 N + one spray of urea (2%) +DAP (2%) + NU (4 ml/litre) at tillering (30-35 DAS), T10- Control (Zero nitrogen). The soil of experimental site was slightly clayey in texture with pH (8.1), organic carbon (0.52%), electric conductivity (0.32 dSm-1), available N (191 kg ha-1), Available P (17.32 kg ha-1) and available K (359 kg ha-1). Significantly higher straw yield (5559 kgha-1) was recorded with treatment T6 - 80 Kg ha-1 N+ one spray of urea (2%) at tillering (30-35 DAS). Harvest index was found to be non-significant with respect to different treatments. Treatment T7 (80 Kg ha-1 N + two spray of urea (2%) at tillering and jointing had recorded highest grain yield (5098 kg ha-1), highest uptake of nitrogen, highest NUE (73.48%), nitrogen (1.8%) and protein content (10.26%) in grain. Maximum gross monetary return, net monetary return and B:C ratio was observed in the above treatment.