Effect of organic manure and nano urea on growth and economics of Toria [Brassica rapa var. toria]

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.), to study the effect of organic manure and Nano urea on the growth and yield of Toria (Brassica rapa var. toria). The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam in texture, low in organic carbon (0.72%), nearly neutral in pH (7.2), and contained 178.48 kg/ha of nitrogen, 27.80 kg/ha of phosphorus, and 233.24 kg/ha of potassium. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design comprising ten treatments, including combinations of organic manures (FYM, Vermicompost, Poultry Manure) and Nano urea sprays (1, 2, and 3 sprays), along with a control (100% N through urea), replicated thrice. The results indicated that treatment T₉, which included 50% nitrogen through poultry manure along with three foliar sprays of Nano Urea at 21, 45, and 60 DAS, recorded the highest plant height (141.45 cm at 80 DAS), plant dry weight (37.65 g/plant at 80 DAS), crop growth rate (33.6 g/m²/day during 60-80 DAS), and relative growth rate (0.029 g/g/day during 60-80 DAS). Economically, T₉ achieved the highest gross return (INR 88,260/ha), net return (INR 54,740/ha), and benefit-cost ratio (1.63), establishing it as the most efficient and profitable treatment among all evaluated nutrient management strategies. These results underscore the potential of integrating organic poultry manure with Nano Urea applications for enhancing both growth performance and economic returns in toria cultivation.