Influence of Foliar Application of Nano Urea and Urea on Productivity and Nutrient Status of Fodder Maize during Kharif Season
Arun Kumar, M. R. *
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, V. C. Farm, Mandya, 571405, India.
Fathima, P. S.
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, V. C. Farm, Mandya, 571405, India.
Yogananda, S. B.
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, V. C. Farm, Mandya, 571405, India.
Shekara, B. G.
AICRP on Forage Crops, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Mandya, 571405, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field-based study was carried out during Kharif season in 2022 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, V. C. Farm, Mandya, Karnataka, India. The soil was sandy loam in texture, neutral in reaction, low in available nitrogen, and medium in organic carbon, phosphorous and potassium status. The experiment was carried out with fodder Maize in randomized block design with 11 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments include varied levels of recommended dose of N (50, 75 and 100%) along with foliar application of nano urea (0.2% and 0.4%) and urea (2%) spray at 20 and 40 DAS, in comparison with RDF alone and control (RDF without N). The application of 100% recommended dose of N + Urea @ 2% spray recorded significantly higher growth parameters such as leaf area and dry matter accumulation at harvest and was on par with 100% recommended dose of N + Nano urea @ 0.4% spray. Significantly higher green fodder yield, dry fodder yield and nutrient content in fodder maize was recorded in 100% recommended dose of N + Urea @ 2% spray and was on par with 100% recommended dose of N + Nano urea @ 0.4% spray. Higher gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio was observed with application of 100% recommended dose of N + Urea @ 2% spray over rest of the treatments.
Keywords: Nano urea, urea, nutrient content, fodder yield