Optimization of nitrogen requirement for better growth and yield of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture Sciences, Agriculture Research Field of International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), Uttara, Dhaka, to optimize nitrogen requirements for growth and yield response of brinjal (Solanum melongena). There were six treatments of urea viz., 0, 275, 300, 325, 350 and 375 kg ha^-1 and the experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The texture of the experimental soil was sandy loam and fertility status was very low. Parameters measured include: plant height, number of leaves plant^-1, leaf area, number of branches plant^-1, number of flower clustersplant^-1, number of flowersplant^-1, fruit diameter, fruits length, number of fruitsplant^-1, fruit weight and yield. Present study results revealed that application of the highest dose of urea showed positive significant influence on growth and reproductive characters of brinjal (S. melongena). Similarly, yield and yield contributing characters of brinjal (S. melongena) increased with the increasing rates of urea. The highest yield (18.0 ton ha^-1) was obtained from the application of 375 kg ha^-1 urea, while the lowest yield (10.1 ton ha^-1) was found from the control treatment. Thus, the overall study results suggested that 375 kg ha^-1 urea performed the best in context Agriculture Research Field soils of IUBAT, Uttara, Dhaka. The study concluded that before final recommendation of the application dose, further study is needed in different agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh.