Integrated use of nano nitrogen and moisture conservation practices for enhanced crop growth, water use and water use efficiency in kharif sorghum

Introduction

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is the important crop in the country after rice, wheat maize and Pearl millets. Sorghum is not only staple food but it is also required to fulfil fodder requirement in order to make animal husbandry sector more viable. There is an urgent need to maintain well balanced and regular supply of more nutritious feed and fodder to animals in the state. Sorghum, most popularly known in India as "Jowar" is often cross-pollinated crop and belongs to the family Poaceae. It is an important food, feed, fodder and ration for human, cattle and poultry. Its grain contains about 10-12% protein, 3% fat and 70% carbohydrate. Sorghum is the important crop in the country after rice, wheat maize and Pearl millets. Sorghum is not only staple food but it is also required to fulfil fodder requirement in order to make animal husbandry sector more viable. There is an urgent need to maintain well balanced and regular supply of more nutritious feed and fodder to animals in the state. It is an important food, feed, fodder and ration for human, cattle and poultry. Its grain contains about 10-12% protein, 3% fat and 70% carbohydrate. According to the USDA Production, Supply and Distribution Database, India's sorghum production during 2024-25 was estimated at about 6.0 million tonnes from nearly 4.0 million hectares with an average productivity of around 1.25 t ha -1 . State-wise sorghum statistics indicated that Maharashtra accounted for about 1.546 million hectares area with 1.690 million tonnes production, followed by Karnataka with 0.648 million hectares area and 0.815 million tonnes production. Gangaiah. B. and Tara Satyavthi C. (2024) [5] . Rajasthan occupied nearly 0.642 million hectares with production of about 0.520 million tonnes. Uttar Pradesh recorded comparatively higher productivity of approximately 1622 kg ha⁻¹, whereas Andhra Pradesh reported the highest productivity of about 3459 kg ha⁻¹ under irrigated conditions (Source: fas.usda.gov). India ranks fourth in total Sorghum production with 4.4 million tonnes grown in an area of 3.97 million hectares in 2023-24, where majority of Sorghum was produced during rabi season (source: fas.usda.gov). The kharif Sorghum (36.6%) was grown predominantly in Rajasthan (43.3%), Uttar Pradesh (15.6%), Haryana (10.1%) and Madhya Pradesh (9.8%), while rabi Sorghum (63.4%) grown in Maharashtra (63.5%), Karnataka (22%), Tamil Nadu (7.9%) and Andhra Pradesh (3.2%).Though the area under sorghum has declined from 18.6 M/ha in 1969-70 to 3.995 M/ha in 2024-25, its productivity has more than doubled (from 554 kg/ha to 1240 kg/ha) during the same period (Source: UPAG: Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare), Government of India. The reason for low productivity of this crop in agro-climatic zone IV a (Sub-Humid Southern Plain and Aravalli hills) seems to be non-adoption of proper agro techniques viz., using poor & old genotypes, inadequate use of fertilizer and inadequate plant population and plant protection measures. However, the production can be increased by adopting improved package including suitable genotype, optimum plant geometry and appropriate fertilization. Considering these facts, research efforts have been made to achieve substantial increase in sorghum productivity through evolving better genotypes development and dissemination of appropriate production technologies. But still a wide gap exists between realizable yield and yield obtained at the farmers' end. Amongst growth factors, adequate supply of chemical fertilizer, especially N and P, is considered to be of prime importance due to its profound impact on various aspects of growth and development, hence productivity of crop depends on the balanced use of fertilizer and plays a key role in modernization of Indian agriculture and in making the country self-sufficient in food grain production. It is estimated that almost 35-40 per cent of the total food grain output can be directly attributed to fertilizer use. Combined application of conventional and nano fertilizers helped to increase growth, growth attributes like plant height, number of leaves, fresh weight, dry weight, water use and water use efficiency of sorghum. Nutrient content and uptake also showed higher values for the same treatment along with the nutrient use efficiency indices. Krishnamurthy et. al. (2023). Since, the yield potential of a crop depends on its inherent capabilities along with extent to which it is being exploited through appropriate agro-techniques. Thus, there is a need to work out optimum combination of different growth factors so as to exploit the potential of these hybrid varieties under prevailing agro climatic conditions. Therefore, keeping this fact in view, this study was undertaken an experiment entitled: "Integrated Use of Nano Nitrogen and Moisture Conservation Practices for Enhanced Crop Growth, Water Use and Water Use Efficiency in Kharif Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)" conducted at Soil Conservation and Water Management Farm of Chandra Shekhar Azad of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur for experimental period of two consecutive Kharif season 2024 and 2025 with the following.

Materials and methods Experimental Site and Soil Characteristics

The field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. The investigation was completed at the Soil Conservation & Water Management Farm of the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology located in Kanpur district is situated in the sub-tropical region of Uttar Pradesh in part of Gangetic alluvium, lying between the river Ganga and Yamuna. It covers 115 km from North to South and 105 km from East to West. It lies between 25 0 26' and 26 0 58' North latitude and 79 0 31' and 80 0 34' East longitude. The elevation of the farm of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur is approximately 125.9 meters above Mean Sea Level. The average rainfall of the district is about 836 mm. The major portion of rainfall is received during the south west monsoon from the first week of July to the last week of November.

Experimental Design and Treatments

The experiment will be conducted using a Split Plot Design with 3 replications. While the full study has factors like fertility levels and moisture conservation practice this research conducted during kharif season 2024 and 2025. A total six fertility levels (Main plot) treatments were considered: F1-Control, F2-100% RDN through urea, F3-75% RDN + 2 foliar spray of 0.4% Nano N fertilizer, F4-75% RDN + 2 foliar spray of 2% urea fertilizer, F5-50% RDN + 2 foliar spray of 0.4% Nano N fertilizer, F6-50% RDN + 2 foliar spray of 2% urea fertilizer. Four moisture conservation practices (Sub plot) treatments viz. M1-Control, M2-Hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha + organic residue mulch 5 t/ha, M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg/ha + organic residue mulch 5 t/h and M4-Kaolin @ 0.5% at 45 DAS spray. The recommended dose of N, P and K for sorghum was 120:50:40 kg/ha. Application of seventy-five percentage through recommended dose of nitrogen, twenty five percent as application through nano N fertilizers and along with urea spray. The total phosphorus and potassic fertilizers as per recommended dose of fertilizers, was applied as a basal application, while the rest of the nitrogenous doses were applied in equal proportions during the vegetative and head initiation stages.

Result and discussion

Plant Height

At 30 DAS plant height was obtained under F3-75% RDN + 2 foliar sprays of 0.4% Nano N fertilizer with 62.19 cm whereas the lowest plant height at 30 DAS was observed under F1 control 57.32 cm. However, the differences among fertility levels at 30 DAS plant height were significant. Plant height 60 DAS and at maturity stage was significantly recorded influenced through fertility levels during pooled basis. At 60 DAS, the highest plant height was observed under treatment F3-75% RDN + 2 foliar sprays of 0.4% Nano N fertilizer with 160.89 cm, respectively, while the minimum plant height was recorded under F1-Control with 146.85 cm, respectively. At maturity stage, the highest plant height was recorded under F3 with 212.04 cm while the lowest was noticed under F1 with 198.13 cm during pooled data basis respectively. Jadav et. al. (2025) [6] , Mehta and Bharat (2019) [10] . At 30 DAS highest plant height was obtained under M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 with 60.36 cm, whereas the lowest plant height at 30 DAS was observed under M1 control 57.76 cm. However, the differences among moisture conservation practices at 30 DAS plant height were result significant. The plant height was significantly recorded by dissimilar moisture conservation practices during pooled data (Table 1). At 60 DAS, the maximum plant height was noted under treatment M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 with 155.25 cm whereas M1-Control recorded the lowest values of 147.76 cm, respectively. At maturity time, the maximum plant height was noted under treatment M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 with 209.66 cm, whereas M1-Control recorded the lowest plant height values noticed of 200.50 cm in respectively. Soni et. al. (2025), Srivastava et. al. (2023) [12,13] .

Number of Leaves/ Plant

Number of leaves/plant 30 DAS was not significantly recorded influenced by fertility levels during both years (Table 2). At 30 DAS, the highest number of leaves/plants was observed under treatment F3-75% RDN + 2 foliar sprays of 0.4% Nano N fertilizer with 7.06 respectively, while the minimum number of leaves/plants was recorded under F1-Control with 6.12 respectively. Number of leaves/plant 60 DAS and at maturity stage was significantly recorded influenced by fertility levels during both years (Table 2). At 60 DAS, the highest number of leaves/plants was observed under treatment F3-75% RDN + 2 foliar sprays of 0.4% Nano N fertilizer with 15.69, respectively, while the minimum number of leaves/plants was recorded under F1-Control with 10.41 respectively. At maturity stage, the highest number of leaves/plants was recorded under F3 with 13.12, while the lowest was noticed under F1 with 7.73 respectively. Udapudi et. al. (2024) [14] Number of leaves/plant 30 DAS was not significantly recorded influenced by moisture conservation practices during both years (Table 2). At 30 DAS, the highest number of leaves/plants was observed under treatment M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 with 6.80 respectively, while the minimum number of leaves/plants was recorded under M1-Control with 6.24 respectively. The number of leaves/plants was significantly recorded by dissimilar moisture conservation practices during pooled data (Table 2). At 60 DAS, the maximum number of leaves/plants was noted under treatment M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 with 14.01, whereas M1-Control recorded the lowest values of 10.78, respectively. At maturity stage, the maximum number of leaves/plants was noted under treatment M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 with 11.33, whereas M1-Control recorded the lowest number of leaves/plant values noticed of 9.24, respectively. Sree et. al. (2024).

Fresh weight/plant (gram)

At 30 DAS, the maximum fresh weight/plant was noticed under F3-75% RDN + 2 foliar sprays of 0.4% Nano N fertilizer with (57.82 gram), whereas the lowest fresh weight/plant was observed under treatment F1-control (51.22 gram) in. However, the differences among fertility levels at the 30 DAS were nonsignificant. Fresh weight/plant 60 DAS and at maturity stage was significantly recorded influenced by fertility levels during both years (Table 3). At 60 DAS, the highest number of leaves/plants was observed under treatment F3-75% RDN + 2 foliar sprays of 0.4% Nano N fertilizer with (323.24 gram) respectively, while the minimum fresh/plants was recorded under F1-Control with (287.07 gram), respectively. At maturity stage, the highest fresh weight/plant was recorded under F3 with (825.09 gram), while the lowest was noticed under F1 with (794.36 gram), respectively. Anil et. al. (2023) [2] , Srivastava, A., and Singh, R. (2023) [13] At 30 DAS, the maximum fresh weight/plant was noticed under M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 with (58.94 gram) whereas the lowest fresh weight/plant was observed under treatment M1-Control (51.54 gram). However, the differences among moisture conservation practices at the 30 DAS were non-significant. At 60 DAS, the maximum fresh weight/plant was noticed under M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 with (323.06 gram), whereas the lowest fresh weight/plant was observed under treatment M1-Control (284.40 gram). However, the differences among moisture conservation practices at 60 DAS were significant. At maturity stage, the highest fresh weight/plants were recorded under M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 with (822.69 gram), while the lowest was noticed under M1-Control with (791.57 gram), respectively. However, the differences among moisture conservation practices at maturity stage were significantly. Ekinci et. al. (2014) [4] .

Dry weight/plant (gram)

At 30 DAS, the maximum dry weight/plant was noticed under F3-75% RDN + 2 foliar sprays of 0.4% Nano N fertilizer with (10.46 gram), whereas the lowest dry weight/plant was observed under treatment F1-control (9.07 gram) in. However, the differences among fertility levels at the 30 DAS were nonsignificant. Dry weight/plant 60 DAS and at maturity stage was significantly recorded influenced by fertility levels during both years (Table 3). At 60 DAS, the highest number of dry weight/plants was observed under treatment F3-75% RDN + 2 foliar sprays of 0.4% Nano N fertilizer with (58.18 gram) respectively, while the minimum fresh/plants was recorded under F1-Control with (52.27 gram), respectively. At maturity stage, the highest dry weight/plant was recorded under F3 with (318.83 gram), while the lowest was noticed under F1 with (286.40 gram), respectively. Anil et. al. (2023) [2] . At 30 DAS, the maximum dry weight/plant was noticed under M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 with (10.08 gram) whereas the lowest dry weight/plant was observed under treatment M1-Control (9.36 gram). However, the differences among moisture conservation practices at the 30 DAS were non-significant. At 60 DAS, the maximum dry weight/plant was noticed under M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 with (57.82 gram), whereas the lowest dry weight/plant was observed under treatment M1-Control (52.64 gram). However, the differences among moisture conservation practices at 60 DAS were significant. At maturity stage, the highest dry weight/plants were recorded under M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 with (316.85 gram), while the lowest was noticed under M1-Control with (288.42 gram), respectively. However, the differences among moisture conservation practices at maturity stage were significantly. Respectively Kundu and Chhabra (2023), Abera et. al. (2020) [1,9] .

Water use and Water use efficiency

Among different fertility levels significantly influenced with respect to the water use and water use efficiency of sorghum during both years as well as on a pooled basis. Significantly, higher water use and water use efficiency was recorded with treatment F3-75% RDN + 2 foliar spray of 0.4% Nano N fertilizer which is followed by treatment F4-75% RDN + 2 foliar spray of 2% urea fertilizer than the rest of the other fertility levels during both the years and pooled basis. The lowest water use and water use efficiency was noticed with treatment F1-Control during both years and on a pooled basis. The highest values were (386.65 mm -1 ) and (7.53 kg seed ha - 1 mm -1 ) in the pooled basis, respectively. The lowest values (330.89 kg seed ha -1 mm -1 ) and (4.24 kg seed ha -1 mm -1 ) were recorded with treatment, respectively on the pooled basis, respectively Katiyar et al., (2021) [8] , Jakhar et. al., (2017) [7] . It is evident from the results obtained during both years that the water use and water use efficiency recorded was influenced significantly due to different combination of moisture conservation practices during both years as well as a pooled basis. Significantly, higher water use and water use efficiency was recorded with treatment M3-Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg/ha + organic residue mulch 5t/ha followed by M2-Hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha + organic residue mulch 5t/ha than the rest of the during both the years and pooled basis. The lowest water use efficiency was noticed with treatment M1-Control during the study of both years and on a pooled basis. The highest values were (398.72 mm) and (7.25 kg seed ha -1 mm -1 ) in the year 2024 and (314.97mm) and (5.06 kg seed ha -1 mm -1 ) recorded with the treatment M1-Control in the on the pooled basis. Giri et al., (2025) [16] ,

Conclusion

Overall, F3 (75% RDN + two foliar sprays of 0.4% Nano N fertilizer) and M3 (Hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha -1 + organic residue mulch @ 5 t ha -1 ) consistently improved plant growth, biomass accumulation, water use and water use efficiency in sorghum. Thus, their integrated application can be recommended for enhancing growth and efficient water utilization under moisturelimited conditions. Water Management, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India for providing the necessary lab support for the analysis. Their provision of the necessary facilities for conducting this research is gratefully acknowledged.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementsThe authors express gratitude the maximum supported by the Dr. Kaushal Kumar and Department of Soil Conservation and

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