Foliar spray of urea and nano-urea in yield and economics of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Applying urea is becoming more and more rapidly rising worldwide; nonetheless, the present study aimed to investigate the influence of using nitrogen fertilizer in the soil application in conjunction with foliar spraying of urea and nano-urea on the yield and economics of maize (Syngenta NK 6802) crop during rabi season of 2024. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with seven treatments T1: 100 % RDF, T2: 75% RDF, T3: 75% RDF + foliar spray of urea @ 0.5% at knee height and tasselling stage, T4: 75% + RDF foliar spray of urea @ 1% at knee height and tasselling stage, T5: 75% RDF + foliar spray of nano-urea @ 0.2% at knee height and tasselling stage, T6: 75% RDF + foliar spray of nano-urea @ 0.3% at knee height and tasselling stage, T7: 75% RDF + foliar spray of nano-urea @ 0.4% at knee height and tasselling stage. Among the treatment 4 recorded significantly highest Plant height (139.83 cm), TDMP (94.32 g), Cob length (19 cm), Number of grains per row (24.67), Number of rows per cob (14.43), Stover yield (8636 kg/ha), Grain yield (6415 kg/ha), Gross return (₹ 166910.91), Net return (₹ 124169.68) and B: C ratio (2.91) as well as improving nutrient uptake and its efficiency. Therefore, the phenology, growth, yield, and profitability of maize and nitrogen fertiliser applications have been structured as per this combination of uptake to avoid losses by leaching and crop response.