Evaluating the performance of new stabilized urea fertilizer (AGROTAIN incorporated urea) in maize-wheat system

Abstract

The nitrogen use efficiency of available urea fertilizer is low and it ranged from 30-50% in major food crops due to high volatilization and leaching losses. Nitrification and urease inhibitors and neem coating are the suggested means to reduce the nitrogen losses, thereby increasing crop nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). To improve the NUE, a study was conducted during 2020-21 to evaluate the performance of neem coated urea (NCU) (nitrification inhibitor) and Agrotain incorporated urea (AIU) (urease inhibitor) in maize-wheat system. The experiment comprised of control (No nitrogen), 100% NCU, 100% AIU, 80% AIU and 60% AIU in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The SPAD and NDVI values at different crop growth stages in maizewheat system found at par with 100% AIU and 100% NCU. As compared to 100% NCU, grain yield of maize and wheat increased by 6.0% and 4.9% with 100% AIU, respectively. However, the system yield (wheat equivalents) was 5.6 and 1.9% higher with 100 and 80% AIU, respectively in comparison to 100% NCU. The 100% and 80% AIU recorded the higher net returns in maize by 7.7% and 3.0% as compared to 100% NCU, respectively. The system net returns were 6.2% higher with 100% AIU over 100% NCU. The agronomic efficiency of N (AEN) and partial factor productivity of N (PFPN) was decreased with the increased doses of N. Higher AEN was observed with 100% AIU as compared to 100% NCU. Compared to NCU, AEN and PEPN of the system increased 30% and 27.4% under 80% AIU. Our study revealed that new stabilized urea fertilizer (AIU) saved 20% (30 kg N ha-1) of NCU at similar or higher yields and N-use efficiency in maize-wheat system of north-west India. The AIU urea with neem was more efficient than neem alone and may play a great role in reducing the N-losses. thereby improving productivity while reducing the environmental footprints. AIU with neem could allow farmers to achieve equal to or higher yields to neem alone while using 20% less nitrogen fertilizer.