Assessment of Yield and Economic Feasibility of Foliar Application of Nano Nitrogen and Nano Zinc Fertilizers on Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] Crop

Abstract

The present experiment was carried out during Kharif season of 2020 at Instructional farm of College of agriculture, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan to evaluate the effect of foliar application of nano nitrogen and nano zinc on yield attributing parameters of pearl millet under rainfed conditions of western Rajasthan. The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 4 replications and 10 treatment combinations viz., T1 (Absolute control), T2 (Recommended dose of fertilizers, RDF), T3 (100% RDF + one spray of nano N at 25-30 DAS), T4 (100% RDF + one spray of nano Zn at 25-30 DAS), T5 (100% RDF + two spray of nano N at 25-30 DAS and 45-50 DAS), T6 (100% RDF + two spray of nano Zn at 25-30 DAS and 45-50 DAS), T7 (75% RDF + two spray of nano N at 25-30 DAS and 45-50 DAS), T8 (75% RDF + two spray of nano Zn at 25-30 DAS and 45-50 DAS), T9 (50% RDF + two spray of nano N at 25-30 DAS and 45-50 DAS), T10 (50% RDF + two spray of nano Zn at 25-30 DAS and 45- DAS). Growth, yield, and economic parameters were statistically analysed using Analysis of Variance as per Fisher’s method. Results revealed, that the application of nano-fertilizers significantly enhanced the growth attributes, yield of pearl millet compared with the conventional fertilization practices. Among the evaluated treatments, T₅ (100% RDF + two foliar sprays of nano-N at 25–30 Days after Sowing and 45–50 Days after Sowing) recorded the highest grain yield and net returns, indicating its superiority in terms of productivity and economic viability.