Field evaluation of slow-release nitrogen fertilizers and real-time nitrogen management tools to improve grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of spring maize in Nepal
Several innovative fertilizers and application methods, along with different decision support tools have been developed to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and crop yields, but their comparative study in maize is yet to be done in Nepal. Thus, we evaluated different slow-release N fertilizers a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022008544 |
| _version_ | 1818242038874767360 |
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| author | Samikshya Gautam Ujjal Tiwari Bina Sapkota Bala Sharma Sapna Parajuli Naba Raj Pandit Yam Kanta Gaihre Krishna Dhakal |
| author_facet | Samikshya Gautam Ujjal Tiwari Bina Sapkota Bala Sharma Sapna Parajuli Naba Raj Pandit Yam Kanta Gaihre Krishna Dhakal |
| author_sort | Samikshya Gautam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Several innovative fertilizers and application methods, along with different decision support tools have been developed to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and crop yields, but their comparative study in maize is yet to be done in Nepal. Thus, we evaluated different slow-release N fertilizers and decision-making tools for real-time N management compared with the common urea on their effectiveness in increasing NUE, grain yield and economic return of spring maize (Zea mays L. cv. Rampur Hybrid-10). A field trial was conducted at Dang Valley of Nepal in a Randomized complete block design with three replications and seven treatments; N omission- (0 kg N ha−1), normal urea at 120 kg N ha−1 (recommended dose, N120), and 180 kg N ha−1(N180), Polymer Coated Urea (PCU- 90 kg N ha−1), Urea Briquette-deep placement (UDP- 90 kg N ha−1), GreenSeeker (GS- 143 kg N ha−1) and Leaf Color Chart based N management (LCC- 143 kg N ha−1). N application based on decision support tools (LCC and GS) and innovative fertilizers (UDP, PCU) yielded 17.35–45.81% more grain yield than recommended dose (RDF). The real time nitrogen application through LCC and GreenSeeker and slow release N fertilizer (PCU and UDP) resulted in higher agronomic efficiency of nitrogen- AEN (21.30–27.82 kg grain kg−1 N) compared to RDF (12.15 kg grain kg−1 N) and N180 (19.87 kg grain kg−1 N). UDP, with 25% less N compared to RDF, resulted in higher grain yield (5.25 t ha−1), partial factor productivity of N– PFPN (58.37 kg grain kg−1 N) and AEN (27.82 kg grain kg−1 N). Based on the economic return and ease in the application, both UDP and LCC based N application seem promising in Nepalese conditions. However, their effectiveness should be validated across diverse agro-ecologies, soil types and climatic conditions for a general recommendation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T13:38:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2676f090d4d84db69aa28a7dafc18ee4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T13:38:53Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj.art-2676f090d4d84db69aa28a7dafc18ee42022-12-22T00:22:51ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402022-06-0186e09566Field evaluation of slow-release nitrogen fertilizers and real-time nitrogen management tools to improve grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of spring maize in NepalSamikshya Gautam0Ujjal Tiwari1Bina Sapkota2Bala Sharma3Sapna Parajuli4Naba Raj Pandit5Yam Kanta Gaihre6Krishna Dhakal7Faculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, 44209 Chitwan, NepalFaculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, 44209 Chitwan, NepalFaculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, 44209 Chitwan, NepalFaculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, 44209 Chitwan, NepalFaculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, 44209 Chitwan, NepalInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, 44705 Lalitpur, NepalInternational Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC), C/O International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, 44705 Lalitpur, NepalNepal Agricultural Research Council, Directorate of Agricultural Research, Karnali Province, Dasharathpur, 21702 Surkhet, Nepal; Corresponding author.Several innovative fertilizers and application methods, along with different decision support tools have been developed to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and crop yields, but their comparative study in maize is yet to be done in Nepal. Thus, we evaluated different slow-release N fertilizers and decision-making tools for real-time N management compared with the common urea on their effectiveness in increasing NUE, grain yield and economic return of spring maize (Zea mays L. cv. Rampur Hybrid-10). A field trial was conducted at Dang Valley of Nepal in a Randomized complete block design with three replications and seven treatments; N omission- (0 kg N ha−1), normal urea at 120 kg N ha−1 (recommended dose, N120), and 180 kg N ha−1(N180), Polymer Coated Urea (PCU- 90 kg N ha−1), Urea Briquette-deep placement (UDP- 90 kg N ha−1), GreenSeeker (GS- 143 kg N ha−1) and Leaf Color Chart based N management (LCC- 143 kg N ha−1). N application based on decision support tools (LCC and GS) and innovative fertilizers (UDP, PCU) yielded 17.35–45.81% more grain yield than recommended dose (RDF). The real time nitrogen application through LCC and GreenSeeker and slow release N fertilizer (PCU and UDP) resulted in higher agronomic efficiency of nitrogen- AEN (21.30–27.82 kg grain kg−1 N) compared to RDF (12.15 kg grain kg−1 N) and N180 (19.87 kg grain kg−1 N). UDP, with 25% less N compared to RDF, resulted in higher grain yield (5.25 t ha−1), partial factor productivity of N– PFPN (58.37 kg grain kg−1 N) and AEN (27.82 kg grain kg−1 N). Based on the economic return and ease in the application, both UDP and LCC based N application seem promising in Nepalese conditions. However, their effectiveness should be validated across diverse agro-ecologies, soil types and climatic conditions for a general recommendation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022008544GreenSeekerLeaf color chartMaizeNitrogen use efficiencyNepalPolymer coated urea |
| spellingShingle | Samikshya Gautam Ujjal Tiwari Bina Sapkota Bala Sharma Sapna Parajuli Naba Raj Pandit Yam Kanta Gaihre Krishna Dhakal Field evaluation of slow-release nitrogen fertilizers and real-time nitrogen management tools to improve grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of spring maize in Nepal Heliyon GreenSeeker Leaf color chart Maize Nitrogen use efficiency Nepal Polymer coated urea |
| title | Field evaluation of slow-release nitrogen fertilizers and real-time nitrogen management tools to improve grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of spring maize in Nepal |
| title_full | Field evaluation of slow-release nitrogen fertilizers and real-time nitrogen management tools to improve grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of spring maize in Nepal |
| title_fullStr | Field evaluation of slow-release nitrogen fertilizers and real-time nitrogen management tools to improve grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of spring maize in Nepal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Field evaluation of slow-release nitrogen fertilizers and real-time nitrogen management tools to improve grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of spring maize in Nepal |
| title_short | Field evaluation of slow-release nitrogen fertilizers and real-time nitrogen management tools to improve grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of spring maize in Nepal |
| title_sort | field evaluation of slow release nitrogen fertilizers and real time nitrogen management tools to improve grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of spring maize in nepal |
| topic | GreenSeeker Leaf color chart Maize Nitrogen use efficiency Nepal Polymer coated urea |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022008544 |
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