Effect of Foliar Application of Nano Urea on Nutrient Content and Uptake by Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

Abstract

Nitrogen is an indispensable component of proteins, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, phospholipids, vitamins, hormones and alkaloids, thereby playing a vital role throughout the plant life cycle, from vegetative growth to reproductive development. Foliar fertilization has emerged as an effective nutrient management strategy for improving nutrient use efficiency as compare to conventional methods. Nano urea offers several advantages over conventional urea, including greater solubility, enhanced stability, controlled nutrient release, targeted delivery, lower environmental toxicity and ease of application and handling. The present experiment was carried out during Kharif season of 2025 at the Crop Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications to evaluate the effect of different schedules and concentrations of foliar-applied Nano Urea Plus in combination with recommended nitrogen doses on nutrient dynamics. The experimental soil was sandy loam, slightly alkaline, low in available nitrogen, medium in phosphorus and potassium. Among the treatments, T₁₀ (40% RDN as basal + Nano urea plus @ 0.5% at PI and Booting stage + 35% RDN at Booting stage) proved superior by recording the highest nutrient content and uptake for pearl millet. Therefore, foliar application of nano urea, particularly T₁₀, can be recommended as sustainable nutrient management practice for enhancing nutrient content and uptake of pearl millet under semi-arid conditions.