Response of Finger Millet to Nano Nitrogen and Nano Zinc for Enhancing Productivity

Author: Sneha M.A., Mudalagiriyappa and Vasanthi B.G.

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Abstract

Plant nutrition is critical for increased development and productivity. Nitrogen and zinc are the most limiting macro and micro nutrient that determines the crop productivity. Foliar application of these nutrients is a well-known strategy to abate acute deficiency at any crop growing stage. Recent developments in the field of nano-technology such as spraying of nano-urea and nano-zinc in combination with conventional fertilizers enhances crop growth and productivity. A field experiment was conducted at Dryland Agriculture project, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru during Kharif 2021 and 2022 to study the effect of nano-N and nano-Zn on growth and productivity of finger millet. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with factorial concept and replicated thrice. The experiment consists of 18 treatments with four levels of nitrogen (A1: No nitrogen, A2: 50% RDN, A3: 75% RDN and A4: 100% RDN) and four methods of fertilizer application (B1: Soil application of zinc, B2: Foliar application of nano nitrogen @ 35 and 55 DAS, B3: Foliar application of nano zinc @ 35 and 55 DAS and B4: Foliar application of nano nitrogen and nano zinc @ 35 and 55 DAS) along with two control. For all the treatments, phosphorus and potassium were applied as per standard recommendations. The results revealed that application of 100 per cent RDN along with spraying of nano-N and nano-Zn twice at 35 and 55 DAS recorded significantly higher growth parameters viz., plant height, total dry matter production, leaf area index and crop growth rate at all the growth stages. Similarly, significantly higher grain yield (3453 kg ha-1) and straw yield (5048 kg ha-1) was recorded with application of 100 per cent RDN along with spraying of nano-N and nano-Zn and was on par with the application of 75 percent RDN with spraying of nano-N and nano Zn twice (3449 kg ha-1 and 5035 kg ha-1, respectively). Thus, application of 75% RDN with spraying of nano-N and nano-Zn was found to be useful in enhancing the productivity of finger millet.

Keywords

Finger millet, Nano nitrogen, Nano zinc, RDN

Conclusion

Foliar spray of nano nitrogen and nano zinc proved extremely efficient in increasing growth and yield of finger millet. Application of 100 % RDN along with spraying of nano-N and nano-Zn increased growth parameters and was on par with application of 75% RDN with spraying of nano-N and nano-Zn. The results of the study revealed that, application of 75% RDN along with foliar application of nano nitrogen and nano zinc @ 2 ml l-1 at 35 and 55 DAS recorded higher finger millet grain yield compared to RDF. Thus, application of nutrients matching the crop growth need has increased productivity and also helped to reduce the use of conventional fertilizers.

References

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How to cite this article

Sneha M.A., Mudalagiriyappa and Vasanthi B.G. (2023). Response of Finger Millet to Nano Nitrogen and Nano Zinc for Enhancing Productivity. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 1470-1477.