Effect of Liquid Nano Urea Fertilizer on Periodical Growth and Yield of Sugarcane

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during rabi of 2021-22 as plant crop and 2022-23 as ratoon crop, at Navsari, Gujarat. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design including treatment comprising of nitrogen levels for soil application with foliar spray of nano urea and urea in both plant-ratoon system of sugarcane. The results recorded in respect to the periodical plant height and dry matter yield (DMY) from 90 to 180 days after planting (DAP) of plant crop and days after ratooning (DAR) of ratoon crop were significantly higher with the application of 100 % RDN (T2) which was at par with treatments T3 and T4. However, at 210 DAP of plant crop and DAR of ratoon crop as well as at harvest plant height and DMY were recorded significantly higher with the application of 75% RDN + 2 spray of liquid nano urea at 90 and 180 DAP which was at par with T2 and T4. In case of No. of tillers/hill at 180 DAP of plant and DAR of ratoon crop was significantly higher when with 75% RDN + 2 spray of liquid nano urea at 90 and 180 DAP which was at par with T2 and T4. In plant crop and ratoon crop of sugarcane, millable cane yield and green top yield were found to be significant highest with the application of 75% RDN + 2 spray of liquid nano urea at 90 and 180 DAP which was at par with T2 and T4. Based on the results, it concluded that for achieving higher growth and yield in sugarcane plant-ratoon cultivation should be fertilized with 100 % of recommended P2O5 and K2O + 75 % RDN + two sprays of either liquid nano urea @ 4 ml/L or 2 % urea at 90 and 180 DAP of plant crop and DAR of ratoon crop. This application effectively replaces the 25% of recommended dose of nitrogen while matching the performance of the 100% RDN treatment.