Effect of foliar spray of nano urea on growth and yield of chilli

Abstract

The field experiment entitled, “Effect of foliar spray of nano urea on growth and yield of chilli” was conducted during the year Summer 2024 – 2025 at the Research Farm of the Interfaculty Department of Irrigation Water Management, MPKV Rahuri Dist. Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, India with an objective of effect of foliar spray nano urea application on growth, yield and economics of chilli (cv. Navtej). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with ten treatments and three replications and experiment comprises of T1 -100 % RDF, T2- 75% RDN, T3- 50% RDN, T4 - 75% RDN with two foliar spray of nano urea @ 0.5% at 30 and 50 DAP, T5 - 75% RDN with two foliar spray of nano urea @ 1% at 30 and 50 DAP, T6- 75% RDN with two foliar spray of conventional urea @ 1 % at 30 and 50 DAP, T7 - 50 % RDN with two foliar spray of nano urea @ 0.5% at 30 and 50 DAP, T8 - 50 % RDN with two foliar spray of nano urea @ 1 % at 30 and 50 DAP, T9- 50% RDN with two foliar spray of conventional urea @ 1 % at 30 and 50 DAP and T10 - Absolute control. Chilli crop was planted by hand dibbling at 45cm × 60 cm spacing. The irrigation was done as per climatological parameter. The Results revealed that all the growth, yield and economics contributing character were recorded higher and significantly superior in T1- 100% RDF. Significantly higher yield of chilli (153.17 q ha-1) was recorded in 100% RDF and it was at par with T5 - 75 % RDN with two foliar sprays of nano urea @ 1% at 30 and 50 DAP (128.51 q ha-1) and T6 - 75% RDN with two foliar sprays of conventional urea @ 1 % (107.32 q ha-1). The same trend recorded in economics of chilli i.e. T1 100% RDF recorded significantly superior in gross monetary returns (530578 ₹ ha-1), net monetary returns (346736 ₹ ha-1), and benefit cost ratio (2.88). It is concluded that, 100 % RDF (100:50:50 N: P2O5: K2O kg ha-1) and 75 % foliar application of nano urea @1% at 30 and 50 DAP and 75 % foliar application of conventional urea @1% at 30 and 50 DAP is an effective and eco-friendly strategy to enhance chilli productivity while reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.