Vol. 12, Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Sumithra BS, Rajkumara S, SS Angadi, VB Kuligod and HY Patil

Abstract:
A field experiment was carried out at Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, during rabi season of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in the randomized complete block design with factorial concept consisted of three replications with 16 treatment combinations. The first factor consisted of two maize hybrids as first factor (H) viz., H₁: NK-6240 and H₂: DKC-9133 and the second factor consisted of eight nitrogen management treatments viz., N₁: Control (0 kg N ha^-1), N₂:RDN (150 kg ha^-1) through conventional fertilizers, N₃: 75 percent recommended N in 2 splits (1/3 through conventional fertilizers at sowing and 2/3 through liquid Nano-urea at V6), N₄: 75 percent recommended N in 3 splits (1/3 through conventional fertilizers at sowing and 1/3 each through liquid Nano-urea at V6 and VT, respectively), N₅: 100 percent recommended N in 2 splits (1/3 through conventional fertilizers at sowing and 2/3 through liquid Nano-urea at V6), N₆: 100 percent recommended N in 3 splits (1/3 through conventional fertilizers at sowing and 1/3 each through liquid Nano-urea at V6 and VT, respectively), N₇: 125 percent recommended N in 2 splits (1/3 through conventional fertilizers at sowing and 2/3 through liquid Nano-urea at V6) and N₈: 125 percent recommended N in 3 splits (1/3 through conventional fertilizers at sowing and 1/3 each through liquid Nano-urea at V6 and VT, respectively). On the basis of two years pooled results significantly higher soil available nitrogen was recorded with nitrogen fertilization at 150 kg ha^-1 through conventional fertilizers alone in five splits with both the hybrids NK-6240 (248.3 kg ha^-1) and DKC-9133 (252.6 kg ha^-1) over conjoint application of conventional fertilizers and liquid nano-urea irrespective of the time and rate of application. Whereas, the soil available phosphorous and potassium did not vary across hybrids. However, nitrogen management treatments and interaction effects showed slight variations for available soil phosphorous and potassium.