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Foliar Spray of Urea: A Sustainable Way To Minimize The Rate of Fertilizer Application For Mustard Production in Drought Prone Area of Bangladesh

The study investigates the effects of foliar spray of urea combined with 'magic growth' on mustard production in drought-prone areas of Bangladesh. Results indicate that using 85% of the recommended urea dose with 15% as foliar application significantly improved yield and plant height compared to traditional methods. The findings suggest that this approach can reduce fertilizer use while enhancing crop productivity.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
8 views11 pages

Foliar Spray of Urea: A Sustainable Way To Minimize The Rate of Fertilizer Application For Mustard Production in Drought Prone Area of Bangladesh

The study investigates the effects of foliar spray of urea combined with 'magic growth' on mustard production in drought-prone areas of Bangladesh. Results indicate that using 85% of the recommended urea dose with 15% as foliar application significantly improved yield and plant height compared to traditional methods. The findings suggest that this approach can reduce fertilizer use while enhancing crop productivity.

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Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Asian Journal of Applied Science and Technology (AJAST)

Volume 8, Issue 3, Pages 226-236, July-September 2024

Foliar Spray of Urea: A Sustainable Way to Minimize the Rate of Fertilizer Application
for Mustard Production in Drought Prone Area of Bangladesh
Md. Mejbah Uddin1, Most. Serajam Monira2, Md. Aminul Hoque3*, Md. Ali Haider4, Rebeka Sultana5 & Bickrom Mallick6
1-6
Department of Agronomy & Agricultural Extension, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh.
Corresponding Author (Md. Aminul Hoque) Email: aminulh2@yahoo.com*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.38177/ajast.2024.8320

Copyright © 2024 Md. Mejbah Uddin et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Article Received: 17 July 2024 Article Accepted: 24 September 2024 Article Published: 29 September 2024

ABSTRACT

From the beginning of November 2021 to February 2022, an agricultural investigation was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Rajshahi
University, Bangladesh. Three sets of replications including a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) were used by this design. In this study
mustard variety BARI Sarisha-11 was used with five fertilizer levels viz. T₁ = control (no fertilizer), T2 =60 % of recommended dose (RD) urea [50%
of RD as soil application (SA) + 10% RD as foliar application (FA)], T3=85% of recommended dose (RD) urea [70% of RD as soil application (SA)
+ 15% of RD as foliar application (FA)], T4= 100% of recommended dose of urea (Traditional practice), T5= 100% of recommended dose of urea
+3% magic growth as foliar application. In case of T2 and T3 (except T1 & T4) magic growth was sprayed with urea i.e. liquid fertilizers, in case of T5,
only magic growth given by three times (25 DAS, 35 DAS and 45 DAS). The yield indicators under investigation were all significantly impacted by
liquid fertilizer. The use of T3 treatment yielded the best figure (2.45 t ha-1) across yield as well as yield attributes. The following second positional
values was displayed in the circumstances where T4 (2.24 t ha-1) or customary methods were used. The lowest values for all of traits were observed
from T1 (1.45 t ha-¹) treatment. So, it is concluded that, through the foliar application of liquid fertilizer (urea with magic growth), 15% urea can be
saved compared to traditional practice.

Keywords: Mustard; Urea; Treatment; Traditional method; Spray; Drought; Foliar application; Liquid fertilizer; Recommended dose; Yield.

░ 1. Introduction

Agrarian country like Bangladesh, mustard is the central parts of all oil crops having a paramount significance as a
major source of livelihood for rural people. Beside this, its production not only ensures the sustainability of
economy but also ensure the food security as well as the environmental viability. Each year, a large amount of land
is dedicated to produce mustard throughout the country, illuminating its role in the nations. Among various oilseed
crops that are grown throughout Bangladesh are in the course of the fiscal year 2021-2022, mustard stands foremost
in terms of acreage and output, having 6.10 lakh hectors and 822 thousand metric tons of output, correspondingly
(BBS, 2023). Edible oilseeds account for around 3% of the overall cultivated area, producing 830 kg of end product
per acre annually, whereas mustard produces 459 kg of output per acre annually (AIS, 2017). Typically, mustard
seeds make up between 28 and 32 percent oil, 28 to 36 percent proteins, 20 to 23 percent carbohydrate, and 12
percent saturated fats (Abul-Fadl et al., 2011). As opposed to roughly 2400 kg ha-1 in comparable European
countries, this nation's standard production for mustard stands merely 700 kg ha -1 (Alam et al., 2015). This may
result from uneven fertilization techniques or from improper application of fertilizers, lack of high yielding
varieties, farmers apathy to using high quality seeds and not using improved technologies in mustard production.
The first of the key macronutrients underlying the growth of mustard is nitrogen. Nitrogen fertilizer is being used
much more in mustard crops over the past few decades since it serves as a necessary component of proteins,
enzymes, and chlorophyll, all of which are vital for promoting advancement of crops in their vegetative phase (Kant
et al., 2011). Moreover, it positively impacts yield and yield qualities as well as the number of productive branches
per plant. It is estimated that 75% of urea fertilizer applied in traditional way is frequently lost through surface

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runoff, immobilization, leaching, denitrification, and volatilization, all of which accelerate environmental
deterioration (Monira et al., 2017). Conversely, overuse of N affects all stages of crop growth, including the
growing up of seedlings, branching, canopy formation, and pod filling, and all of which can have a detrimental
effect on crop output. A sophisticated collection of solutions will be needed to optimize crop productivity and
nitrogen use efficiency in order to make improvements.

The practice of foliar fertilization involves applying liquid fertilizer to a plant's leaves such that the stomata and
epidermis allow the nutrients to enter the plant's tissues (Fernández et al., 2013). Many ways have tried by the
researchers for evaluating the fertilizer use by improving fertilizer nutrient use efficiency and minimizing
environmental impacts (Monira et al., 2023). Occasionally, farmers experience insufficient urea supply throughout
the sowing season. Under such circumstances, applying plant nutrients topically to crops is both cost-effective and
efficient (Kahn et al., 1993). Foliar fertilization, as opposed to soil usage, could be the most effective method for
addressing nutrient shortages, particularly a focus on nitrogen lacking in conditions of drought (Banerjee et al.,
2019). In addition to magic growth, urea applied topically may help mustard function better. It may lessen the need
for chemical fertilizers in the soil, particularly nitrogenous fertilizers. Because of these circumstances, urea-saving
investigation using foliar administration of liquid fertilizer (i.e., urea and magic growth) was conducted recently in
an effort to improve mustard productivity.

1.1. Objectives of the study

The investigation was undertaken with the contemplation of the subsequent aims: (1) To evaluate the effect of foliar
fertilization on growth performance of mustard, (2) To determine the foliar urea efficiency, (3) To assess the effect
of liquid fertilizer on the yield and yield attributes of mustard, (4) To determine the optimum doses of liquid
fertilizer, (5) To investigate the optimum timing of liquid fertilizer application, and (6) To evaluate the yield of
mustard under stress condition.

░ 2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Location and experimental site

The study was carried out from November 2021 to February 2022 at Rajshahi University's Agronomy Field
Laboratory's experimental field, located at Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh. The land in question is part of AEZ-11's
high Ganges River Flood Plain. The earth's surface had a pH of 8.5 as well as comprised sandy loam.
Approximately an average elevation of 71 feet over sea level, the location of the experiment is situated
geographically at 24°22'36'N Latitude and 88°38'92" E Longitude. The area had good drainage, remained level with
the ground, and was over the risk of flooding. The earth's composition exhibited an enrichment of 1.44% in organic
matter, 0.09% in total nitrogen, 17.61 ppm in available phosphorous, 0.21 ppm of available potassium, 9.36 ppm of
available sulfur, and 0.33 ppm of available zinc.

2.2. Climate

A brief growth season is suitable for the cool-season crops mustard. The crop that was used was produced during
the winter, while there was considerably less daylight along with occasional unanticipated rain towards the start of

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the experimental period as well as throughout harvest. Over the course of the research timeframe, the field of study
location saw a mean temperature of 21.620C, 70% humidity, 19.82 mm of rainfall, and lots of sunlight hours.

2.3. Chemical materials for liquid fertilizer

Urea: Urea was applied as per treatment.

Magic Growth: The liquid fertilizer known as Magic Growth (MG) was developed by Md. Arif Hossain Khan, Joint
Director (Fertilizer Management Division). Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), Rajshahi
division which is prepared to obtain official acknowledgement. It contains different type of essential nutrients for
plant growth and development. In this experiment, magic growth was used (4 g/L water) with urea as foliar spray.

2.4. Variety

BARI Sarisha-11 (Brassica juncea) was used for the experiment. The Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute
(BARI), located in Gazipur, generated this particular cultivar in 2001. The variety having drought and salt tolerant
capacity with the yield of 2-2.5 t ha-1.

2.5. Treatments

(1) T1 = control. (2) T2=60% of Recommended dose (RD) urea [50% of RD as soil application (SA)+10% of RD as
foliar application (RA)]. (3) T3=85% of Recommended dose (RD) urea [70% of RD as soil application (SA)+15%
of RD as foliar application (FA)]. (4) T4=100% of Recommended dose of urea (Traditional practice). (5) T5=100%
of Recommended dose of urea + 3% Magic growth as foliar application.

In case of T2 and T3 (except T1 &T4) magic growth was sprayed with urea i.e. liquid fertilizer. In case of T 5 only
magic growth was sprayed. Liquid fertilizer was applied in each treatment as following- T2 (For one spray) urea
5.00 kg ha-1 + magic growth 2.5 L ha-1 + water 500 L ha-1, T3 (For one Spray): urea 7.5 kg ha-1 + magic growth 2.5 L
ha-1+ water 500 L ha-1, T5 (For one spray): magic growth 1.5 L ha-1+water 500 L ha-1.

2.6. Fertilizer management

The following fertilizers were applied to the experimental plot: TSP (120 kg ha-1), MOP (90 kg ha-1), Gypsum (65
kg ha-1), ZnSO4 (45 kg ha-1), and Boric acid (2 kg ha-1). When finalizing land preparation, the entire TSP, MOP,
ZnSO4, and boric acid were applied. A treatment-based application of urea was made.

2.7. Application of liquid fertilizer

Liquid fertilizers were applied three times e.g. 1st at 25 DAS, 2nd at 35 DAS and 3rd at 45 DAS. Spray was done in
afternoon to avoid leaf burning. Liquid fertilizer was sprayed as per experimental treatment.

2.8. Design and layout of the experiment

Three replications with a randomized complete block design were used to set up the trial. Every block was split up
into randomly assigned units. Three times five, or fifteen, unit plots made up the complete hypothetical design, 8 m2
was the basis for plot area. There was a 0.5 m plot to plot as well as a one m block to block spacing.

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2.9. Land preparation

On November 1, 2021, an agricultural tractor was put to use to unveil the experimenting land. Three country
ploughings were conducted, along with each was followed with a laddering operation to break up any clods and
smooth the surface of the ground. The area had been cleared of weeds and stubble. On November 13, the field
configuration was completed and the conclusion of getting the soil ready was finished.

2.10. Sowing of seeds

On November 14, 2021, the seeds were put down at a rate of 8 kilogram per hectare. Seeds were sown in a straight
line with a 25×5 cm spacing between lines. Seeds had been encased with topsoil and gently pushed by hand
following they had been sown.

2.11. Harvesting

In February 2022, at 102 DAS, the crops were taken out at 90% siliqua maturation. In order to gather information on
yield parameters in general, five randomly chosen plants were taken from every single plot prior to the entire plot
being harvested.

2.12. Data analysis technique

A wide range of variables were gathered prior to harvest, and following harvest, the data were tallied, processed,
and arranged for statistical analysis. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was computed using the IBM SPSS software.
By using Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DMRT), the mean deviation was shown (Gomez and Gomez, 1984).

░ 3. Results and Discussion

The goal of the current study was to determine how foliar application of liquid fertilizer affected mustard (BARI
Sarisha-11) yield and yield contributing characteristics. The experiment's parameters were statistically examined,
and the findings were reported. In this chapter, the experiment's results have been discussed in terms of parameters.

3.1. Plant height (cm)

Liquid fertilizer administration resulted in a notable variance in plant height at harvest (Table 1). In T3 (144.40 cm),
where 85% of the urea was put to the soil and 15% was applied topically to promote magic growth, the highest plant
height was noted. When the recommended dosage of fertilizer was administered, this outcome was statistically
comparable to T4 (128.07 cm). In T1 (110.15 cm), where fertilizer was not applied, the plant had a height that was
record-lowest. The foliar treatment of several nutrients, either separately or in combination, was found to
significantly improve the plant height of mustard (Laishram & Jaswal, 2023).

Table 1. Effect of liquid fertilizer on plant height (cm)


Plant height (cm)
Treatment
30 DAS 60 DAS 80 DAS Harvest
T1 12.000e 63.471d 104.09c 110.15c
T2 31.828c 73.103bc 123.65b 127.30b

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T3 50.438a 82.762a 139.80a 144.40a


T4 40.809b 79.398ab 124.23b 128.07b
T5 23.055d 68.258cd 117.74b 121.95b
LS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
CV (%) 11.42 6.03 3.72 3.56
Note: “In each column, treatment means followed by the same letter (e.g., a, b) are not significantly different from each other at the 5% level of significance according to Duncan’s
Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Means with different letters indicate significant differences. CV = Coefficient of Variation; DAS = Days After Sowing.”

3.2. Number of primary branches plant-1

Because foliar application was applied differently in each case, the total number of primary branches varied greatly
(Table 2). T3 (5.63) yielded the greatest primary branches plant-1, which was statistically similar to T4 (4.33). T1
(2.27) yielded the lowest primary branches plant-1. These findings are consistent with those of Khan et al. (1993),
who observed that applying N, P, and S solutions topically increased the number of primary branches in mustard
plants.

3.3. Number of secondary branches plant-1

The total amount of auxiliary branches that the plant generated was significantly impacted by the application to the
foliage of magic growth and urea (Table 2). T4 (4.97) exhibited the fewest secondary branching each plant, whereas
T3 (7.50) exhibited the greatest number of secondary branches. The control treatment T 1 (3.73) in this instance
produced the fewest secondary branches per plant. According to Khan et al. (1993), applying N. P. and S. solution
topically increases the number of secondary branches in mustard plants.

3.4. Number of leaves plant-1

The study found that liquid fertilizers had a substantial impact on the quantity of leaves. Table 2 indicates that
among the treatments, T3 had the greatest leaves plant-1 (17.53 and 23.18) for 30 and 60 DAS respectively, while the
control treatment had the lowest (9.86 and 10.73) for the same duration. In T 4, there were the second-highest
number of leaves 14.27 and 21.67 at 30 and 60 DAS respectively.
Table 2. Effect of liquid fertilizer on number of branches and leaves
Treatments Branch number Leaves number
30 DAS 60 DAS 30 DAS 60 DAS
T1 9.857c 10.733c 2.267d 3.733b
T2 13.333b 15.167b 3.183c 4.700b
T3 17.533a 23.167a 5.633a 7.501a
T4 14.267b 21.667a 4.333b 4.967b
T5 10.133c 13.367bc 2.733cd 3.933b
LS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
CV (%) 8.16 8.44 10.18 20.07
Note: “In each column, treatment means followed by the same letter (e.g., a, b) are not significantly different from each other at the 5% level of significance according to Duncan’s
Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Means with different letters indicate significant differences. CV = Coefficient of Variation; DAS = Days After Sowing.”

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3.5. Dry weight (g) plants-1

The research investigation concluded that there is a strong correlation between plant dry matter accumulation and
treatment. Taking into account the experimental data for various DAS, it was shown that, in comparison to other
treatments, the T3 had the most (1.30, 4.59, 6.55, 11.25 g at 30, 60, 80 and at harvest) building up of dry matter rate
(Table 3). In comparison to the other treatments, T1 displayed the lowest dry matter accumulation (0.79, 1.62, 3.82,
4.20 g at 30, 60, 80 and at harvest).

Table 3. Effect of liquid fertilizer on dry weight plants-1 (g)


Dry weight plants-1 (g)
Treatment
30 DAS 60 DAS 80 DAS Harvest

T1 0.795b 1.619c 3.822 4.206c

T2 1.533a 3.627b 4.554 7.743b

T3 1.303ab 4.590a 6.550 11.254a

T4 1.277ab 3.768ab 5.720 10.165a

T5 1.057ab 3.059b 5.895 6.956b

LS 0.01 0.01 NS 0.01

CV (%) 29.06 13.92 28.48 14.85

Note: “In each column, treatment means followed by the same letter (e.g., a, b) are not significantly different from each other at the 5% level of significance according to Duncan’s
Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Means with different letters indicate significant differences. NS = Non-significant; CV = Coefficient of Variation; DAS = Days After Sowing.”

3.6. Number of pods plant-1

When total pods plant-1 were taken into consideration, a statistically significant difference was calculated between
the plants (Table 4). Of the treatments, T3 produced the highest outcome (105.23), whereas T1 produced the lowest
(85.93).

3.7. Number of filled pods plant-1

The total quantity of packed pods plants in this investigation varied significantly (Table 4). T 1 (71.33), which
received no fertilizer possessed the least amount of completed pod plants, while T 3 (96.37) possessed the greatest.
Siddiqui et al. (2008) have demonstrated the foliar application of the nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur solution
enhances the number of completed pod plants in mustard, which is consistent with what we have found.

3.8. Pod length (cm)

Findings showed that applying doses of different foliar solutions produced a notable variance in pod length (Table
4). Under the treatment T3, the optimal pod length was attained (6.96 cm). The second-longest pod (6.45 cm)
belonged to T4. In this study, T1 had the shortest pod length (3.23 cm). The optimum amounts of pod length for
rainfed mustard were obtained by foliar urea application combined with multiplex spray, as reported by Hu et al.
(2010).

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Table 4. Effect of liquid fertilizer on pods plant-1, effective pods plant-1 and pod length (cm)
Treatment Pods plant-1 Effective pods plants-1 Pod length (cm)
T1 85.93d 71.333c 3.233c
T2 96.27b 77.833b 4.812b
T3 105.23a 96.367a 6.961a
T4 100.47b 90.767a 6.450a
T5 91.10c 81.800b 3.733c
LS 0.01 0.01 0.01
CV (%) 2.50 3.61 7.53

Note: “In each column, treatment means followed by the same letter (e.g., a, b) are not significantly different from each other at the 5% level of significance according to Duncan’s
Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Means with different letters indicate significant differences. CV = Coefficient of Variation.”

3.9. Number of seeds siliqua-1

The siliqua seed count of the study varied significantly (Tables 5). T 1 (11.46), the sample with the lowest result, did
not use any fertilizer. When 15% of the recommended amount of urea was sprayed as a spray on the leaves in
addition to magic growth, T3 (17.82) yielded the most siliqua seeds. Ali & Kazemi (2010) offered evidence in favor
of the comparable outcomes.

3.10. Number effective seeds silique-1

Considering the foliar treatments, there was a substantial variation in the amount of effective seeds silique -1. T3
showed the highest (Table 5) figure (16.07), despite T1 showed a reverse outcome (8.53) which was statistically
considerable to T5 (8.87).

Table 5. Effect of liquid fertilizer on no. of seeds siliqua-1, no. effective seeds silique-1
Treatment Number of seeds siliqua-1 Effective seeds pod-1
T1 11.457c 8.533c
T2 13.490bc 11.667b
T3 17.817a 16.067a
T4 16.013ab 13.000b
T5 11.517c 8.867c
LS 0.01 0.01
CV (%) 12.50 10.39
Note: “In each column, treatment means followed by the same letter (e.g., a, b) are not significantly different from each other at the 5% level of significance according to Duncan’s
Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Means with different letters indicate significant differences. CV = Coefficient of Variation.”

3.11. 1000 -grains weight (g)

The 1000-grains weight varied significantly depending on the treatments used (Table 6). In terms of statistics, T3's
highest weight of 1000 grains (4.34 g) was comparable to T4's (4.21 g). The control treatment, T1 (2.36 g), had the

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lowest possible value for grain weight (1000). These results concur with those of Siddiqui et al. (2008), who
discovered a considerable increase in grain weight (1000 grains) using foliar nutrition spray.

3.12. Grain yield (t ha-1)


The experiment's data demonstrated that foliar application of liquid fertilizer had a considerable impact on grain
output (Table 6). Plot T3 (2.34 t ha-1) produced the highest seed production when crops were sprayed with 15% N as
a recommended dose and 70% N as a basal dose. T 4 had the second-highest grain output (2.14 t ha-1) when the
required amount of urea was added to the soil. From a statistical perspective, both are equal. The least amount of
grain produced by the T1 control treatment (1.38 t ha-1), which did not apply any fertilizer. The quantity of cultivars
with main along with subsidiary branches, the number of full pod plants, and the 1000-grain weight of the
corresponding treatment combinations were the main factors contributing to the enhanced grain output resulting
from different treatment combinations. As a result of urea and other nutrients being applied topically, these results
were comparable to those of Kumar, (2013).

3.13. Straw yield (t ha-1)


It came to light that the effects of various urea and magic growth applications on the straw yield of mustard were
statistically significant (Tables 6). It was observed that treatment T 3 (4.07 t ha-1) produced the highest straw yield,
whereas the T1 produced the lowest (1.91 t ha-1) one. Kahn et al. (1993) reported a noteworthy increase in the straw
yield of mustard sprayed with micronutrients and urea, which supported the same conclusion.
Table 6. Effect of liquid fertilizer on 1000 seed weight (g), grain and straw yield (t ha-1)

Treatment 1000 Seed weight (g) Grain yield (t ha-1) Straw yield (t ha-1)
T1 2.362c 1.383b 1.910b
T2 2.987b 2.097a 3.567a
T3 4.343a 2.343a 4.070a
T4 4.210a 2.147a 4.013a
T5 2.874b 1.647b 2.600b
LS 0.01 0.01 0.01
CV (%) 6.25 9.44 11.50
Note: “In each column, treatment means followed by the same letter (e.g., a, b) are not significantly different from each other at the 5% level of significance according to Duncan’s
Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Means with different letters indicate significant differences. CV = Coefficient of Variation.”

3.14. Biological yield (t ha-1)


Various treatments showed significant effects regarding biological yield (Table 7). T 3 (6.35 t ha-1) reported the
largest biological output, which is statistically comparable to T4 (6.22 t ha-1). Furthermore, T1 (3.29 t ha-1) had the
lowest biological yield, next to T5 (4.25 t ha-1). The identical results were discovered when N was sprayed on leaves
by Ali & Kazemi (2010).

3.15. Harvest index (%)


There was no discernible variation in the harvest index during the trial (Table 7). T 4 had the least harvest index
(34.50 %), in contrast to T1 got the greatest index of harvest (41.95 %). T 2 shows the next-lowest outcome (37.15

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%), while T5 provided the second-best harvest index (38.88). Ali & Kazemi (2010) reported that foliar nitrogen
sources had an extensive effect on the harvest index.
Table 7. Effect of liquid fertilizer on biological yield (t ha-1) & harvest index (%)

Treatment Biological yield (t ha-1) Harvest index (%)


T1 3.293d 41.953
T2 5.663b 37.147
T3 6.353a 37.239
T4 6.220ab 34.498
T5 4.247c 38.879
LS 0.01 NS
CV (%) 6.63 10.74
Note: “In each column, treatment means followed by the same letter (e.g., a, b) are not significantly different from each other at the 5% level of significance according to Duncan’s
Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Means with different letters indicate significant differences. NS = Non-significant; CV = Coefficient of Variation.”

░ 4. Conclusion

Bangladesh has very low N levels in most places due to extensive crop farming and poor handling of artificial
fertilizers. Farmers that use inappropriate quantities of fertilizers on their farms usually ruin the natural
environment as well as the wellness of the agricultural land. In addition to this, farmers in Bangladesh frequently
experience a shortage of necessary fertilizers during the cropping seasons. Every year huge amount of urea is
needed for crop production. Nonetheless, numerous studies revealed that crop response to N was the greatest of all
nutrients in this country. In the present instance, foliar application of magic growth, a nitrogenous liquid fertilizer,
combined with urea may improve crop quality. Actually, applying nitrogen topically to leaves improves the number
of plants with pods, functional pods, and fully developed grains per plant; these factors raise grain weight therefore
promise farmers an excellent return on their investment.

It was concluded based on the results of the exploration that, T3 demonstrated the most pods per plant (105.23),
number of effective pods (96.367), and number of seeds (16.07) among the treatments, all of which contributed to
the highest grain output (2.34 t ha-1). In comparison to traditional varieties, the research findings suggest that 15%
of urea can be conserved through foliar application of liquid fertilizer (urea with magic growth), which increases
seed production in the case of T3 (N 70% of RD as SA + N 15% of RD as FA). If this approach can be made
available to farmers, they will be able to deal with issues like drought, water logging, and urea shortages during the
crop-growing season. Together with these, more research is necessary to determine the right amounts of liquid
fertilizers for various agroecological zones and recently developed mustard cultivars, taking into account the
harmful effects of liquid fertilizers on the environment and agroecosystem. In order to maximize environmental
resilience and minimize input costs, this technique should integrate a number of sustainable crop production
practices, such as crop rotation, zero tillage application, soil moisture conservation measures, etc. The
determination of economic profitability has to be grounded in extensive research utilizing traditional approaches for
applying fertilizer. To improve the efficacy and efficiency of nutrient management, assessment and ongoing

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monitoring should be carried out using contemporary technologies such as remote sensing. In order to begin
offering this technology to farmers, extensive field trials demonstrating its cost-effectiveness and climate resilience
would be necessary. If these are implemented wisely, producers will benefit from reduced cultivation costs and
improved economic development for themselves despite ecological damage.

Declarations

Source of Funding

The National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship authority is acknowledged by the authors for giving the
fund for this research.

Competing Interests Statement

The authors have not declared any conflict of interest.

Authors' contributions

All the authors show the heartiest responsibility to fulfil the manuscript.

Consent for publication

The authors declare that they consented to the publication of this study.

Availability of data and materials

Data will be provided by the corresponding author upon a reasonable request.

Acknowledgement

Authors would like to express their cordial gratitude to the members of research team and to the department of
Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

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