Effect of nano-fertilizer-based INM on growth, yield and quality of chow-chow (Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.) in Nagaland

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in Nagaland University, School of Agricultural Sciences, during two consecutive years, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, to study the effect of nano-fertilizer-based integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of chow-chow [Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.] in Nagaland. Results revealed that the application of different levels of nutrients either alone or in combination significantly increased the growth, yield and quality attributes of chow-chow. The results indicated that the highest growth, yield and quality parameters were observed in treatment [Poultry manure @ 5 t/ha + nano-urea (two sprays @ 0.5%) + microbial consortium] with number of leaves/plant (108.97), number of primary branches (4.21), leaf length (20.15 cm), leaf width (22.30 cm), leaf area (189.08 cm2), vine length (7.01 m), number of fruits/plant (15.65), fruit length (13.89 cm), fruit diameter (8.98 cm), average weight of fruit (482.40 g), yield/plant (7.57 kg), yield/ha (681.40 q), vitamin C (4.99 mg/100 g) and calcium content (13.29 mg/100 g). Thus, nano-fertilizers showed great potential as a key component of INM and can be recommended to the farmers.