Impact of foliar application of nitrogen on growth and yield attributes in maize (Zea mays) through drone

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Climate Smart Research Block of Centre of Excellence on Digital Technologies for Climate Smart Agriculture (CoE-DTSPA), Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, during Kharif-2024 with to assess efficacy of foliar application of nitrogen on growth, yield attributes and cost economics in maize (Zea mays) through drone. The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Block Design with ten treatments replicated three times. A hexacopter drone with 10 L capacity was used for the foliar application of nitrogen as per the treatments. The results revealed that ttreatment T7 with foliar application of conventional urea @ 1.0% + Micrograde II @ 0.5% at 30, 45 and 70 DAS recorded highest grain yield (69.09 q ha-1). However, treatment T9 (Foliar application of NU @ 2.5% + Micrograde II @ 0.5% at 30, 45 and 70 DAS) and treatment T6 (Foliar application of conventional urea @ 2.5% at 30, 45 and 70 DAS) which recorded (66.67 q ha-1) and (65.76 q ha-1) grain yield, respectively and at par with treatment T7. Treatment T1 (100% GRDF) recorded highest stover yield (79.96 q ha-1). However, treatment T3 (Foliar application of conventional urea @ 1.0% at 30, 45 and 70 DAS) and treatment T8 (Foliar application of NU @ 2.5% at 30, 45 and 70 DAS) were at par with treatment T1 (100% GRDF) with (76.87 q ha-1) and (76.71 q ha-1) stover yield respectively. Treatment T7 (Foliar application of conventional urea @ 1.0% + Micrograde II @ 0.5% at 30, 45 and 70 DAS) resulted into higher gross monetary return (₹ 171851.61 ha-1), net monetary returns (₹ 77000.71 ha-1), B:C ratio (1.81). However, treatment T9 (Foliar application of NU @ 2.5% + Micrograde II @ 0.5% at 30, 45 and 70 DAS) was at par with T7 and recorded gross monetary return (₹ 167099.63 ha-1), net monetary returns (₹73415.78 ha-1), B:C ratio (1.78).