Evaluation of energy indices of summer maize production under nano zinc oxide and different fertigation levels in lateritic soil

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during summer season of 2023 and 2024 at Agricultural Farm of Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, to study the effect of nano zinc oxide biofortification on energy indices of summer maize under different levels of fertigation. The field experiment was conducted in split-plot design with three replications in which four main plots consist of four drip-fertigation levels viz., surface irrigation with 100% RDF, drip fertigation with 50% RDF, drip fertigation with 75% RDF and drip fertigation with 100% RDF and sub plots consist of four nano zinc oxide biofortification viz., control (no nano zinc oxide), seed priming with 50 ppm nano ZnO, seed coating with 50 ppm nano ZnO, foliar application of 50 ppm nano ZnO. Result revealed that surface irrigation with 100% RDF and foliar application of 50 ppm nano zinc oxide required highest energy input irrespective of treatments. For energy output in grain and stover yield, total output energy, net energy gain and energy intensity in economic term observed highest under drip fertigation with 100% RDF and 75% RDF whereas the lowest under drip fertigation with 50% RDF, however energy use efficiency, energy efficiency ratio and energy productivity recorded highest value through drip fertigation with 50% RDF and surface irrigation with 100% RDF. Among nano zinc oxide biofortification, the seed coating and seed priming with 50 ppm nano recorded highest value for energy output in grain and stover yield, total output energy, net energy gain, energy use efficiency, energy efficiency ratio, energy productivity and energy intensity in economic term. The results were analyzed via PCA, providing valuable perceptions into identifying the greatest influence of nano zinc oxide and drip fertigation on energy indices of summer maize production.