Productivity, nutrient uptake, microbial activity and economics of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) as influenced by foliar application of nano fertilizers

A field experiment was conducted at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Kalaburagi, during kharif season of 2022 to study the growth and yield of pigeonpea as influenced by foliar application of nano DAP. The experiment consisted with split plot design consisting of three levels of RDF in main plots viz., 50% RDF (M₁), 75% RDF (M₂) and 100% RDF (M₃) and four levels of nano DAP spray in sub plots viz., 2 ml litre^-1 of water (S₁), 4 ml litre^-1 of water (S₂), 6 ml litre^-1 of water (S₃) and Seed treatment with Nano DAP @ 5ml kg^-1 seeds (S₄). The results revealed that among different treatment combinations application of 100 percent RDF with foliar spray of nano DAP @ 4 ml litre^-1 of water recorded significantly higher seed yield (1167 kg ha^-1), stalk yield (4173 kg ha^-1), N uptake (121.40 kg ha^-1), P uptake (17.34 kg ha^-1), K uptake (79.87 kg ha^-1), gross returns (Rs. 75843 ha^-1), net returns (Rs. 37444 ha^-1) and B:C ratio (1.98) as compared to other treatment combinations.