Comparative evaluation of nano and neem coated urea on growth, phenology and yield of maize (Zea mays) in tarai region of Uttarakhand

A field experiment was carried out during the kharif season of 2022 at NEBCRC, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand to evaluate the comparative evaluation of nano and commercial urea on growth, phenology and yield of maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 3 replications and comprised of 12 treatments. The results revealed that improved growth parameters viz., plant height (198.6 cm), leaf area index (2.7) and dry matter accumulation (172.1 g/plant) and lesser number of days required to 50% tasseling, 50% silking and maturity were recorded with application of 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) (120 kg N/ha) along with 2 foliar sprays of nano urea or 2% urea at knee high (KH) and pre-tasseling (PT) stages. Maximum grain yield (7.28 t/ha), shelling (77.7%) and harvest index (HI) (34.6%) were obtained in 100% RDN + 2 foliar sprays of nano urea. However, production and monetary efficiency did not vary significantly among 100% RDN, 100% RDN + foliar spray of nano urea, 100% RDN + foliar spray of 2% urea and 5/6th RDN + nano urea. It was concluded that maize can be fertilized with 5/6th RDN (100 kg N/ha) + 2 foliar sprays of nano urea or 2% urea at the knee high and pre-tassseling stage without reduction in productivity or profitability compared to 100%