Effect of Nano Urea and Bio-fertilizers on Growth and Productivity of Ragi (Eleusine Coracana L.) Under Western U.p.

Abstract

The present investigation effect of nano urea and biofertilizers on growth and productivity of ragi crop (Eleusine coracana L.) in western Uttar Pradesh was conducted at Crop Research Centre, of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P) during kharif 2023. The treatments consisted of T1- Control, T2-100% RDN, T3- 75% RDN, T4- 75% RDN + Spray of Nano Urea @ 4ml l-1 at 30 & 60 DAS, T5- 75% RDN + Azospirillum (seed treatment @10ml kg-1 seed), T6-75% RDN + PSB (seed treatment @10ml kg-1 seed) T7- 75 % RDN + Spray of Nano Urea + Azospirillum, T8- 75%RDN + Spray of Nano Urea + PSB, T9- 75% RDN + Azospirillum + PSB and T10- 75%RDN + Nano Urea + Azospirillum + PSB were tested in randomized block design with three replication. The soil of experimental site was low in organic carbon and nitrogen and medium in available phosphorus & potassium with slightly alkaline in reaction. The maximum values of growth and yield attributes viz. plant population, plant height, number of tillers, dry matter accumulation, effective tillers, finger length, ear weight /plant, number of grains per ear, grain weight/ear and test weight was recorded with the application of 100% RDN which remained statistically at par with 75 % RDN + Nano Urea + Azospirillum + PSB but significantly higher than rest of the treatments. Similarly, maximum grains & straw yield, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake and net return were noticed with the application of 100% RDN which remained statistically at par with 75 % RDN + Nano Urea + Azospirillum + PSB. Thus it may be concluded that the application of 75 % RDN + Nano Urea + Azospirillum + PSB seems best combination for achieving higher yield & net return from ragi crop and improving soil health.