Maximizing the Productivity and Profitability of Summer Irrigated Greengram (Vigna radiata L.) by Combining Basal Nitrogen Dose and Foliar Nutrition of Nano and Normal Urea

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at wetland farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during summer season, 2022 with an objective of maximizing the productivity and profitability of greengram by adopting varied dose of basal nitrogen and foliar application of nano and normal urea at Flower Initiation (FI) stage and 15 days thereafter. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design and replicated thrice with the following treatments viz., N1 - 100% RDN (25kg N ha-1), N2 - 80% RDN (20kg N ha-1), N3 - 60% RDN (15kg N ha-1) and N4 - Control as factor I, and F1 - Nano urea @ 2ml litre-1 of water, F2 - Nano urea @ 3ml litre-1 of water, F3 - Nano urea @ 4ml litre-1 of water and F4 - 1% urea as factor II. The experiment results revealed that, 100% RDN and nano urea foliar spray @ 4ml litre-1 of water significantly registered higher fertility co-efficient (71.2%), pods plant-1 (38.5 Nos.), seeds pod-1 (12.7 Nos.) and maximum grain yield (1291 kg ha-1). Nevertheless, it was on par with the application of 80% RDN and nano urea foliar spray @ 4ml litre-1 of water, which recorded fertility co-efficient of 70.6%, 38.0 pods plant-1, 12.6 seeds pod-1 and grain yield of 1289 kg ha-1. In economics perspective also, application of 100% RDN and foliar supplement of nano urea @ 4ml litre-1 accounted maximum gross return (₹100114 ha-1), net return (₹53549 ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (2.15), which was comparable with application of 80% RDN and foliar application of nano urea @ 4ml litre-1 of water at FI stage and 15 days thereafter. Based on the experimental results, it is concluded that reduced application of basal nitrogen i.e., 80% RDN with nano urea foliar spray @ 4ml litre-1 of water at FI stage and 15 days thereafter found to be the optimal nitrogen dose and nano urea foliar nutrition for maximizing the productivity and profitability of summer irrigated greengram.

Influence of Irrigation Methods and Nano-fertilizers Application on the Yield of Transplanted Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Periyar Vaigai Command Area of Madurai

“…This provided a sufficient quantity of nutrients for a prolonged period, which was attributed to the higher grains/panicle. Similar results were reported earlier by Saitheja et al (2022) for black gram. This was followed by 75 per cent N through fertilizer + Nano N as foliar spray (S 2 ) (190).…”

Study of Nitrogen Rates and Nano Urea Effects on Physiological Parameters and Yield of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

“…However, other treatments showed the effect lower than N2, but were higher when compared to the control. Application of urea as split doses and foliar spray of nano urea at reproductive stage showed higher chlorophyll content as compared to the control where only soil applied nitrogen was given which may be due to the decrease in applied dose of nitrogen as it is important for protein and carbohydrate metabolism and can enhance the plant height, production of photo-assimilates and distribution of assimilates to the reproductive organs [22] and ultimately greater production of dry matter [23] indicating a direct relation of nitrogen content with dry matter production. Nitrogen is essential for synthesizing the amino acids, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll.…”

Nanotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture – A review

“…Precision and targeted management of nitrogen by foliar spray of nano nitrogen lowers urea losses, improves nutrient absorption efficiency, manages water, soil, and air pollution challenges. Applying nano nitrogen at a dosage of nano urea @ 3ml per litre of water at flower initiation stage and 15 days after the first nano urea application stimulates crop response, meets nutritional requirements, and increased the yield of the crop (Saitheja et al, 2022).…”