Performance of maize (Zea mays L.) in response to application of prilled and nano urea under rainfed conditions of northwest India

Cultivation of maize under drylands faces major concerns such as water scarcity and low nutrient use efficiency which threatens sustainable crop production. A field study was conducted during kharif season of 2022 and 2023 to evaluate the effects of prilled and nano urea on productivity, economics and soil fertility of rainfed maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with seven treatments in different combinations of soil applied prilled urea and foliar applied nano-urea replicated thrice. The pooled results revealed that soil application of 100% recommended NPK and two sprays of nano-urea (T₅) resulted in 21.5, 43.1, 45.1, 44.2, 27.1 and 55.8% higher plant height, cob length, cob girth, grains per cob, test weight and rainwater use efficiency (RWUE), respectively as compared to control. The same treatment also produced higher grain and straw yield, net returns and B:C ratio as compared to control. Pearson’s correlation showed that the yield attributes were positively and significantly correlated with grain and straw yield. Application of prilled urea with or without foliar application of nano-urea significantly resulted in higher content of soil organic carbon (SOC) and available N, P and K as compared to control. The treatments 100% recommended NPK (T₃) and 100% recommended NPK and one spray of nano-urea (T₇) were statistically similar (T₅) suggesting that spraying nanourea could have supplemental effect on maize productivity under rainfed conditions.