Vol. 18 No. 1
Effect of nitrogen and zinc in nano forms on growth and productivity of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in inceptisols
Author(s): S. Neogi and S. K. Das
Abstract: Nano-fertilizers have the potential to enhance crop productivity by increasing nutrient use efficiency. A field experiment was conducted during Rabi seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21 to determine the effect of nitrogen and zinc, when applied in nano form fertilizers on the growth and productivity of potato in inceptisols. The experimental design was randomized block with three replications comprising nine treatments viz. T1- Control, T2 - 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) of NPK in conventional forms, T3- Foliar application of Nano Nitrogen, T4- Foliar application of Nano Zinc, T5- Foliar application of Nano Nitrogen + Nano Zinc, T6 -100% RDF of NPK + Foliar application of Nano Nitrogen, T7 - 100% RDF of NPK + Foliar application of Nano Zinc, T8 - 100% RDF of NPK + Foliar application of Nano Nitrogen + Nano Zinc, T9 - 50% Recommended Dose of Nitrogen + 100% Recommended Dose of P & K + Foliar application of Nano Nitrogen + Nano Zinc. The results showed application of nano fertilizers significantly improved the leaf area index, plant height and dry matter production of potato. Regarding tuber yield of potato, the highest total tuber yield (34.15 tha-1) was recorded in the treatment T8. It was observed that the foliar application of only nano-N, only nano-Zn and only nano-N + nano-Zn increased the total yield of tubers by 83.13%, 45.87% and 149.27% respectively over the control. It was also observed that foliar application of nano-N + 100% RDF of NPK, nano-Zn + 100% RDF of NPK and nano-N + nano-Zn with 100% RDF of NPK increased the total tuber yield of potato by 29.73%, 14.75% and 36.11% respectively over the application of only 100% RDF of NPK. Result showed that foliar application of nano-N + nano-Zn with 100% RDF of NPK enhanced the uptake of N, P, K & Zn by 36.02%, 36.01%, 36.02% and 66.16% respectively over 100% RDF of NPK application. The economic analysis depicted the maximum net return (Rs. 1,71,466ha-1) and BCR (2.69) from T8 treatment i.e. application of 100% RDF of NPK + Foliar application of Nano Nitrogen + Nano Zinc.