Optimised nitrogen management using nano and neem coated urea for improving growth, yield and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

SHASHANK  PATEL; SHIVA  DHAR; DIBAKAR  MAHANTA; PRAVIN KUMAR  UPADHYAY; SUDARSHAN  S; HUCHCHAPPA  JAMAKHANDI; RAGHAVENDRA  S J; ABHISHEK  PATIDAR; PRIYANKA  SAHA

doi:10.56093/ijas.v96i1.163025

Authors

SHASHANK PATEL ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
SHIVA DHAR ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
DIBAKAR MAHANTA ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
PRAVIN KUMAR UPADHYAY ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
SUDARSHAN S ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
HUCHCHAPPA JAMAKHANDI ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
RAGHAVENDRA S J ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
ABHISHEK PATIDAR Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh- 221005, India
PRIYANKA SAHA ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, West Garo Hills, Tura, ICAR- Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v96i1.163025

Keywords:

Nano-urea, Neem-coated urea, Net return, Nitrogen levels, Yield attributes

Abstract

The experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) seasons of 2022–23 and 2023–24 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effect of different levels of nitrogen along with foliar applications of nano urea and neem-coated urea on growth, yield and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with 15 treatments. These treatments combined basal nitrogen levels of 0, 50, 75, 100 and 125% of recommended nitrogen doses (RDN), along with foliar application of water spray (WS), nano-urea (NU) and neem-coated urea (NCU) in each level with 3 replications. The results demonstrated that treatments with reduced basal nitrogen, specifically with nano-urea application, achieved growth and yield comparable to the higher conventional dose of RDN. Foliar application of neem-coated urea along with 75% RDN produced significantly lower yield than RDN. However, 75% RDN + NU spray yielded 4.85 t/ha, which was at par with 100% RDN + WS (5.55 t/ha). Similarly, yield from 100% RDN + NU was equivalent to that of the 125% RDN treatments, regardless of the specific foliar spray applied. Under each level of RDN (125%, 100%, 75% and 50%), foliar application of nano-urea was a bit superior to neem-coated urea, though the differences were not significant. Yield attributes were also markedly improved with higher nitrogen doses and foliar sprays. The nano-urea had slightly higher total cost of cultivation over urea foliar application. However, among the treatments, 125% RDN + NU recorded significantly higher net return (1,33,909 ₹/ha) though it was at par with RDN. This two-year study showed that moderate nitrogen doses, especially in conjunction with nano-urea foliar treatments, can substantially enhance growth, yield attributes and yield, highlighting nano-fertilisers as a promising alternative for improving soil health, nutrient availability and yield, supporting more sustainable agriculture.

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