Vol. 12, Issue 10 (2023)

Author(s):
Upasna, Amninder Kaur, Puja Rattan, Ludarmani and Ashutosh Sharma

Abstract:
Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science with a variety of applications in various disciplines, including agriculture. Recently some nano-fertilizers are available in the market, which may be highly effective in improving crop productivity in a more economical manner than the conventional fertilizers. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the impact of seed priming using urea and zinc, when applied in the form of nano-fertilizers on the growth, quality and yield related attributes in radish. Field experiment on radish (White Plus-F₁ Hybrid) was carried out during the rabi season of 2022-2023 in the Horticultural Farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, DAV University, Jalandhar in randomised block design (RBD) comprising twelve treatments viz., T₁ (Control), T₂ (NPK i.e., 100% recommended dose), T₃ (Nano-Urea i.e., 100%), T₄ (Nano-Urea i.e., 50%), T₅ (Nano-Zinc i.e., 100%), T₆ (Nano-Urea i.e., 100% + Nano-Zinc i.e., 100%), T₇ (Nano-Urea i.e., 50% + Nano-Zinc i.e., 100%), T₈ (NPK i.e., 100% recommended dose + Nano-Zinc i.e., 100%), T₉ (NPK i.e., 100% recommended dose + Nano-Urea i.e., 100%), T₁₀ (NPK i.e., 100% recommended dose + Nano-Urea i.e., 50%), T₁₁ (NPK i.e., 100% recommended dose + Nano-Urea i.e., 100% + Nano-Zinc i.e., 100%) and T₁₂ (NPK i.e., 100% recommended dose + Nano-Urea i.e., 50% + Nano-Zinc i.e., 100%) with three replications each. The results showed that the seed priming application of Nano-Urea (100%) along with NPK minimised the days to 50% germination. It was also observed that Nano-Urea (100%) along with NPK increased leaf length and leaf area and further the combination of both Nano-Urea (100%) and Nano-Zinc (100%) recorded the highest plant height, number of leaves per plant and the leaf width. Among, the root yield of radish, the highest root diameter, root weight, root yield per hectare, root yield per plot, fresh weight of plant and dry weight of plant were recorded in the combined application of Nano-Urea (100%) and Nano-Zinc (100%). Whereas, the maximum root length of radish was recorded with the combined application of NPK and Nano-Urea (100%). Among the quality attributes, the combination of both Nano-Urea (100%) and Nano-Zinc (100%) recorded the highest TSS and ascorbic acid. The chlorophyll content, carotenoid content, total protein content, total flavonoid content and total phenolic content were recorded highest, when NPK was applied in combination with the seed priming of 100% Nano-Urea. The analysis of yield economics suggested that the maximum gross income, net income and benefit-cost ratio was there in case of treatment T₆ (Nano-Urea i.e., 100% + Nano-Zinc i.e., 100%), which was significantly higher than all other treatments.