Vol. 12, Issue 10 (2023)

Author(s):
Rundan V, Kubsad VS, Shivakumar BG, Kuligod VB and Mummigatti UV

Abstract:
Nano-technology based nutrient management practices in fodder crops are still in their nascent stage of growth. Fodder crops required more nitrogen and meeting this demand through nano-urea raises questions about its suitability for long-term fodder production. Therefore, a field trail on foliar nutrition of nano-urea with conventional urea on productivity and profitability of fodder maize was conducted at MARS, UAS, Dharwad during kharif season of 2021 and 2022. The results indicated that application of 75% RDN (112.5 kg N ha^-1) led to significantly higher growth, fodder yield and net returns as compared to other N levels. Between nano-urea concentration foliar application of 4 ml l^-1 water recorded significantly higher growth, yield and economic returns in fodder maize. However, frequency of spray did not have a significant influence on growth, yield and economics of fodder maize. Among the interactions, application of 75% RDN regardless of nano-urea concentration and frequency of sprays recorded higher growth, yield and economics. When interactions were compared with checks, RPP showed significant superiority over the rest of the treatment combination in terms of growth, yield and economics. Compared to RPP, reducing conventional nitrogen by 25-100% resulted in a decrease in green fodder yield ranging from 9.4 to 70.5% in fodder maize. Similarly, net returns decreased by 18.3 to 77.6% with the reduction of conventional nitrogen by 25-75% RDN, regardless of nano-urea concentration and spray frequencies. Overall, there is no advantage of using nano-urea in fodder maize as a substitute for conventional urea.