Growth, yield, economics, and nitrogen use efficiency of transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) as influenced by different nitrogen management practices through neem (Azadirachta indica) coated urea

Although neem coated urea (NCU) has been found to increase nitrogen use efficiency in transplanted rice, there is a lack of information regarding its dose and split schedule. Keeping this in view, a field experiment was conducted at G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. Results showed that the maximum increment in growth, yield, and economics of rice was achieved with the application of 125% RDN through NCU with 50:25:25 split schedule at basal, AT and PI stages over application of 100% RDN through prilled urea with the same split schedule (existing practice). Further, application of 100% RDN through NCU with 50:25:25 or 33.3:33.3:33.3 split schedule at basal, AT and PI stages was found to enhance AE and PFP of applied nitrogen fertilizer over existing practice with improved growth, yield, and economics of rice.