70(4)2025 Evaluation of Nitrogen Levels and Nano-urea on Productivity and Profitability of Linseed

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2021-22 and 2022-23 to study the effect of nitrogen levels and nano-urea on growth, yield attributes, yield and economics of linseed. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with main plot treatments consisting of soil application of 100%, 75 %, 50% and 25% of recommended nitrogenlevels applied in two splits 50% as basal application and 50% as top dressing and subplot treatments consisting of foliar application of different doses of nitrogenous fertilizers as, one water spray, one spray of nano-urea @ 3ml/litre at flower initiation stage, two sprays of nano-urea @3ml/litre at flower initiation and capsule development stage, one spray of 2% urea at flower initiation stage and two sprays of 2% urea at flower initiation and capsule development stage. The soil application of 100 % recommended level of nitrogen was found to record significantly highest linseed growth and yield attributes, seed yield, stover yield, gross return, net return and B:C ratio which was statistically similar to 75 % recommended level of nitrogen but showed its significant superiority over  rest of the treatments. Similarly, foliar application of two sprays of nano-urea @ 3ml/litre at flower initiation and capsule development stage led to significant enhancement in primary and secondary branches per plant, capsules per plant, seeds per capsule, test weight, seed yield, stover yield, gross return, net return and B:C ratio as compared to other foliar nitrogen management practices except foliar application of one spray of nano-urea @ 3ml/litreat flower initiation stage.