Journal of Environmental Biology

Response of paira linseed to supplemental foliar application of water-soluble fertilizers under foothill rainfed conditions of Nagaland

N. Kikon*,  R. Sridhar, I. Amlari, A.S. Goud, D. Nongmaithem, L. Tzudir, R. Yadav and T. Gohain     

Department of Agronomy, Nagaland University, School of Agricultural Sciences, Medziphema Campus, Medziphema-797 106, India

Received: 07 May 2025                   Revised: 13 August 2025                   Accepted: 16 October 2025

*Corresponding Author Email : noyingthung@nagalanduniversity.ac.in                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3909-740X

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to assess foliar fertilization as a resource-efficient method to improve the yield of paira linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) under foothill rainfed conditions.

Methodology: Field trials were conducted during 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 rabi seasons to study the performance of paira linseed with supplemental application of water-soluble fertilizers under rainfed conditions. Eight (8) foliar spray treatments viz., twice spray each of water spray (control), 1% NPK 19:19:19, 1% NPK 13:0:45, 2% Urea, 0.5% ZnSO₄, 1% NPK 19:19:19 with 0.5% ZnSO₄, 1% NPK 13:0:45 with 0.5% ZnSO₄, and 2% Urea with 0.5% ZnSO4 were tested at the experimental farm of SAS, Medziphema campus, Nagaland.

Results: The maximum seed yield was obtained with the combined application of 1% NPK 13:0:45 with 0.5% ZnSO4, which was significantly higher than other treatments, except for the combined application of 1% NPK 19:19:19 with 0.5% ZnSO₄. The highest benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 2.33 was obtained with twice spray of 1% NPK 13:0:45 with 0.5% ZnSO₄.

Interpretation: Supplementing the recommended nitrogen dose with combined foliar sprays of water-soluble fertilizers at vegetative and reproductive stages significantly enhanced the key physiological processes of paira linseed, highlighting its potential for increasing oilseed production under low-input rainfed conditions.

Key words: Growth, Linseed, Paira, Rainfed, Water-soluble fertilizers

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