Effect of Planting Geometry and Inorganic Fertilizers with Nano Urea Quality and Nutrient Uptake of Rice Crop (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Influence of planting geometry and inorganic fertilizers with nano urea on productivity of rice crop (Oryza sativa L.).” was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm of Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Narendra Nagar (Kumarganj), Faizabad-224229 (U.P.) during Kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023. Fifteen treatment combinations comprised of three planting geometry C1 (20 cm × 10 cm), C2 (20 cm × 15 cm) and C3 (20 cm × 20 cm) in main plot with five fertility levels F1 - 100% RDF (150:60:40), F2 [100% RDF + Two foliar spray of nano urea @ 3000 ml ha-1(Tillering and Panicle initiation stage)], F3 [75% RDF + Two foliar spray of nano urea @ 3000 ml ha-1(Tillering and Panicle initiation stage)], F4 [50% RDF + Two foliar spray of nano urea @ 3000 ml ha-1(Tillering and Panicle initiation stage)] and F5 - Control [no fertilizers] were executed in split plot design keeping fertility levels in sub plot with three replications. The soil of experimental plot was silty loam in texture with low in orgainic carbon and nitrogen médium in phosphorus and high in potassium. The treatment combination C1 (20 cm × 10 cm) along with F2 [100% RDF + two foliar applications of nano urea at 3000 ml ha-1 (during Tillering and Panicle initiation stages)] demonstrated significantly elevated levels of quality and nutrient uptake, including protein content (%), yield (kg ha-1), NPK content (%), and NPK uptake (kg ha-1). This performance was comparable to the combination of C1 (20 cm × 10 cm) with F3 [75% RDF + two foliar applications of nano urea at 3000 ml ha-1 (during Tillering and Panicle initiation stages)], and notably surpassed other treatments. In summary, the utilization of C1 (20 cm × 10 cm) coupled with F2 [100% RDF + foliar spray of nano urea @ 3000 ml ha-1 (during Tillering and Panicle initiation stages)] exhibited superior outcomes across all parameters of quality and nutrient absorption, leading to increased rice crop yield and profitability over both study years.