Effect of plant geometry and nitrogen management through nano urea on growth and productivity of rainfed castor (Ricinus communis L)

Abstract

A field experiment entitled “Effect of Plant Geometry and Nitrogen Management through Nano Urea on Growth and Productivity of Rainfed Castor (Ricinus communis L.)” was conducted during Kharif 2024 at the School of Agricultural Sciences, Dabok, Udaipur. The experiment was consisted of ten treatment combinations [A. crop geometry (90 cm × 45 cm and 60 cm × 45 cm) and B. nitrogen management {Control, 40, 60 kg N ha-1, 40 kg N ha-1 + nano urea (4 ml L-1) and 60 kg N ha-1 + nano urea (4 ml L-1)}] and these were replicated three times in Factorial Randomized Block Design. The results revealed that wider spacing (90 cm × 45 cm) significantly improved growth attributes such as number of branches plant⁻¹ (5.98), dry matter accumulation at harvest (152.48 g plant⁻¹), and seed yield (11.40 q ha⁻¹), along with higher net return (₹27,887 ha⁻¹) and B:C ratio (1.76). Among nitrogen treatments, application of 60 kg N ha⁻¹ + nano urea (4 ml L-1) recorded the highest values for growth & attributes as well as seed yield (12.57 q ha⁻¹), and economic return (₹32,435 ha⁻¹) with a B:C ratio of 1.85.