Effect of nitrogen levels and foliar application of nano-urea on productivity of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. emend Stuntz]

Background: Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend Stuntz], is the most important crop in terms of its higher production with wider adaptability to climate and soil, which is mainly grown in kharif season 2023. Nitrogen is considered as most important primary mineral nutrient for the production of cereal crops. It has the greatest impact on the vegetative growth of plants. Foliar application of fertilizers is an effective strategy for rapidly addressing crop under nutrition at later growth stages, when the availability of soil nutrients may decrease owing to root senescence and dry weather conditions. Foliar application of nitrogen is beneficial for reducing nitrogen loss and environmental risk caused primarily by denitrification and nitrogen leaching. Nano fertilizers on the other hand are crucial determining factors in agriculture for enhancing growth, yield and provide higher nutrient use efficiency and less fertilizer waste.Methods: In the present work, experiment was laid out in randomized block design i.e. with twelve treatment combinations with of RDN through urea and nano- urea spray of one or two spray was laid out on pearl millet variety RHB 177 at Research farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur.Results: The independent application of 75% RDN + two spray of nano-urea (4 ml/litre) at 25 & 45 DAS at 60 DAS and at harvest produced significantly higher plant height and dry matter accumulation at 60 DAS and at harvest, number of effective tillers plant-1 at 40 DAS, ear head length(cm), test weight (g), grain yield, stover yield, biological yield, net returns and B:C ratio as compared to rest of the treatments and remained at par with 100% RDN + two spray of nano-urea (4 ml/litre) at 25 & 45 DAS.