Effect of Soil and Foliar Nitrogen Fertilization on Performance and Economics of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Cultivation under Rainfed Conditions of Nagaland

Crop production relies heavily on essential nutrients. Balanced soil-applied fertilizers, along with foliar sprays, can improve input efficiency and crop performance, particularly in rainfed areas prone to moisture stress.

A field investigation was conducted at the experimental farm of School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema campus, during rabi season of 2021. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications with four main factors comprising of soil-application of different doses of N (nitrogen) in two splits (based on RDF of 40 kg N ha^-1) viz., 100 % N, 75% N, 50% N and 25% N and five sub-factors comprising of foliar sprays of N viz. Control (water spray), single spray of Nanourea @ 3 ml liter^-1, two sprays of Nanourea @ 3 ml liter^-1, single spray of Urea @ 2% and two sprays of Urea @ 2%.

Among the different soil application treatments, significantly highest NUE (Agronomic Efficiency), seed yield (996.80 kg ha^-1) and stover yield (3032.10 kg^-1) was recorded with soil application of 100 % N ultimately recording the highest net return (Rs. 26004 ha^-1) and IBCR (5.80). Whereas, two sprays of Nanourea @ 3 ml L^-1, among foliar treatments, recorded the highest NUE (Agronomic Efficiency), seed and stover yield (918.44 kg ha^-1 and 3032.26 kg ha^-1 respectively) as well as net returns (Rs. 22988 ha^-1) and IBCR (5.5).