Effect of Nano Urea and Micronutrient on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted on Maize during Rabi season 2024-25 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Faculty of Agriculture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 10 treatments and replicated thrice. The treatment consisted of 3 levels of Nano Urea (2, 3 and 4 ml/l) and Zinc (15,20 and 25 kg/ha) along with recommended doses of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (120:60:40 N: P: K kg/ha). The experimental field soil was sandy loam in texture, neutral in reaction (pH 7.2), available medium organic carbon (0.624%), in available high nitrogen (186.50 kg/ha), in available high phosphorus (33.8 kg/ha), in available medium potassium (217.4 kg/ha) and high electrical conductivity (0.372 ds m-1). Treatment 9, comprising Nano Urea (4 ml/l) and Zinc (25 kg/ha), significantly enhanced both growth and yield parameters, exhibiting higher plant height (160.68 cm), dry weight/plant (53.86 g), number of cobs/plant (2.60), number of rows/cob (14.56), seed yield (4.46 t/ha), seed index (14.12 g), stover yield (6.68 t/ha), and a harvest index of 33.83%. The aforesaid treatment also recorded maximum gross return (127563.00 INR/ha), net return (83735 INR/ha) and B:C ratio (1.91) was observed with the application of Nano Urea (4 ml/l) + Zinc (25 kg/ha) Treatment 9. It is concluded that application of Nano Urea (4 ml/l) + Zinc (25 kg/ha) Treatment 9 recorded highest yield and economics in Maize crop.