An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilization on finger millet, with Significant nutrient losses, especially for nitrogen (N) fertilizers, occurring when chemical fertilizers are directly incorporated into the field. These losses primarily result from leaching and volatilization processes under this practice, crops tend to utilize only a fraction of the applied N fertilizers, typically ranging from 30 to 40%. These observations highlight the inefficiency of traditional fertilizer application methods and the need for improved nutrient management strategies to maximize nutrient utilization by crops and minimize environmental impacts. The study was conducted in Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences Coimbatore. The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments and replicated three times. The results of the study demonstrated that the treatment combining 50% neem-coated urea (NCU) and 50% nano urea (NU) in addition to phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) (T5) exhibited exceptional performance compared to the other treatments. This particular treatment displayed significant outcomes, including an increase in plant height of (93.7cm), improved leaf area index (3.95), greater total dry matter production (6443 kg/ha), a higher number of tillers (161.24/m2), increased productive tillers (94.2/m2), enhanced grain yield (4350 kg/ha), higher straw yield (5829 kg/ha), improved gross returns (143313 Rs/ha), a net return of (Rs. 88,247/ha), and a benefit-cost ratio of 2.60. On the other hand, the application of (75% Neem coated urea + 25% Nano urea + P and K) can be considered as a second option for obtaining higher yield and economics of growing finger millet.

Controlled release nitrogen fertilizers could be an excellent management approach for improving nitrogen fertilizer efficiency. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of coated urea fertilizers to increase nitrogen uptake and utilization of maize. The nitrogen use efficiency of maize from various biodegradable polymer-coated urea fertilizers, such as palm stearin coated urea (PSCU), pine oleoresin coated urea (POCU), and humic acid coated urea (HACU), was determined in a pot culture experiment conducted at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during 2021. The coating materials have been coated on urea with different coating thicknesses, viz., PSCU - 5, 10, 15%, POCU – 2, 4, 6%, and HACU - 5, 10, 15%. Among all the treatments, T11: HACU 15% produced highest grain yield (72.0g plant-1) followed by T7: POCU 4% (69.7 g plant-1) and T4: PSCU 10% (69.0g plant-1). In terms of dry matter production, T10: PSCU 10% produced maximum dry matter (186.5g plant-1), followed by T11: HACU 15% (186.2 g plant-1), and T7: POCU 4% (185.3g plant-1). The nitrogen uptake by the maize plant was higher in T7: POCU 4 % (1.62g plant-1), followed by T11: HACU 15% (1.59 g plant-1) and T4: PSCU 10% (1.59g plant-1). Irrespective of treatments, the highest nitrogen utilization by the maize crop was found in T7: POCU 4% (73.9%) followed by T4: PSCU 10% (71.1%) and T11: HACU 15% (70.9%) treatments. When compared to uncoated urea fertilizer, all coated urea fertilizers outperformed uncoated urea fertilizer in terms of grain yield, dry matter accumulation, and nitrogen uptake. To improve the nitrogen use efficiency, coated urea fertilizers prove to be a promising alternative to uncoated urea fertilizers.

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2022 at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore to study the performance of different pearl millet-based intercropping with legumes under rainfed condition. Greengram (Vigna radiata), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and redgram (Cajanus Cajan) were sown as intercrops in replacement series of 4:1 and 6:1 row ratio. The result of the study indicated that intercropping of blackgram and redgram with pearl millet in 4:1 gave higher total grain yield (25503.0 kg/ha) and stover yield (4927.1 kg/ha) compared to the sole cropping of pearl millet under rainfed condition. Other intercropping indices like grain equivalent yield, land equivalent ratio, relative crowding coefficient, competition index and income equivalent ratio were calculated. Intercropping system of pearl millet + blackgram (4:1) recorded the higher net returns (Rs. 81,621/ha) and B:C ratio (2.42).