Studies on foliar application of nano urea and nano dap on growth and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif-2023 at Experimental Farm, Agronomy section, College of Agriculture, Latur, to find out Studies on foliar application of nano urea and nano DAP on growth and yield of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). The soil of experimental plot was clayey in texture, moderately alkaline in reaction having pH (7.7) with chemical composition such as low in available nitrogen (230 kg ha-1), very low in available phosphorous (19.5 kg ha-1) and very high in available potassium (445 kg ha-1). Soil was well drained which was favourable for optimum growth. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with nine treatments replicate thrice. The treatments were T1 - Control (without fertilizer), T2 – 75% RD of N and P with commercial urea and DAP in 2 equal splits at sowing and 30 DAS, T3 - Foliar spray of 75% RD of N and P with nano urea and nano DAP in 2 equal splits 20 and 40 DAS, T4 - Foliar spray of 75% RD of N and P with nano urea and nano DAP in 3 equal splits 15, 30 and 45 DAS, T5 – 100% RD of N and P with commercial urea and DAP in 2 equal splits at sowing and 30 DAS, T6 - Foliar spray of 100% RD of N and P with nano urea and nano DAP in 2 equal splits 20 and 40 DAS, T7 - Foliar spray of 100% RD of N and P with nano urea and nano DAP in 3 equal splits 15, 30 and 45 DAS, T8 - Foliar spray of 125% RD of N and P with nano urea and nano DAP in 2 equal splits 20 and 40 DAS and T9 - Foliar spray of 125% RD of N and P with nano urea and nano DAP in 3 equal splits 15, 30 and 45 DAS. Sowing was done by dibbling method by using seed rate 12-15 kg ha-1. The recommended dose of fertilizer was 80: 40: 40 NPK kg ha-1. The results showed that growth and yield components of sorghum were influenced significantly due to various treatments. The application of 100% RD of N and P with commercial urea and DAP in 2 equal splits at sowing and 30 DAS (T5) was recorded significantly higher growth attributes i.e., plant height, number of functional leaves, leaf area, stem girth, number of internodes and dry matter accumulation which was at par with treatment foliar spray of 125% RD of N and P with nano urea and nano DAP in 3 equal splits 15, 30 and 45 DAS (T9), foliar spray of 125% RD of N and P with nano urea and nano DAP in 2 equal splits 20 and 40 DAS (T8) and 75% RD of N and P with commercial urea and DAP in 2 equal splits at sowing and 30 DAS and significantly superior over the other treatments. Application of 100% RD of N and P with commercial urea and DAP in 2 equal splits at sowing and 30 DAS (T5) recorded significantly highest grain yield (3083 kg ha-1) over all the treatments except foliar spray of 125% RD of N and P with nano urea and nano DAP in 3 equal splits 15, 30 and 45 DAS (T9),foliar spray of 125% RD of N and P with nano urea and nano DAP in 2 equal splits 20 and 40 DAS (T8) and 75% RD of N and P with commercial urea and DAP in 2 equal splits at sowing and 30 DAS (T2). The highest GMR (114848 ₹ ha-1), NMR (72183 ₹ ha-1), and B:C ratio (2.70) was observed with the soil application of 100% RD of N and P with commercial urea and DAP in 2 equal splits at sowing and 30 DAS (T5).