Bhatnagar, AmitBabar, Amol Kantilal2018-10-162018-10-162013-10http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810081164The experiment was conducted in lab and field conditions to study the effect of nano particles, methods of application and concentrations on different growth and yield parameters of maize. The lab experiment was laid out in CRD with 2 nano particles (ZnO and TiO2) each at three concentrations (0.01, 0.03 and 0.05%) and a untreated control. Field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2012 at the N. E. Bourlag Crop Research Centre of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand). The experiment consisting of 2 nano particles(ZnO and TiO2), 2 methods of application (seed treatment and foliar application), 3 concentrations (0.01, 0.03 and 0.05%) and 1 untreated control was laid out in n+1 Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. The results of lab experiment revealed that mean germination time, speed of germination, root and shoot length, root dry weight, vigour index I and II was improved significantly by both the nano particles at 0.01 % concentration except germination percentage. The data of field study revealed that both the nano particles and methods of application were equal effective with respect to growth parameters, grain yield and yield attributes. Among concentrations 0.01% recorded significantly more values of growth parameters viz. plant height, shoot dry matter, leaf area index, crop growth rate, chlorophyll content and leaf area ratio. Significantly more grain yield was obtained at 0.01% as yield attributing characters viz. cob length, cob girth, number of grain rows per cob, number of grains per row, number of grain per cob and 100 - grain weight were higher under this treatment. Concentration of 0.01% recorded significantly higher stover and biological yield. Nano particles treatment produced significantly more cob, grain and biological yield than control. Significantly more total N, P and K uptake and partial factor productivity for applied nutrient was observed at 0.01 % concentration. Nano particles treatment recorded significantly more total N and P uptake and partial factor productivity for applied N, P and K than control. Between nano particles TiO2, between methods of application seed treatment and among concentration 0.01% fetched significantly more net return and B:C ratio. From this experiment it has been concluded that seed treatment with TiO2 nano particles at 0.01% concentration found best with respect to seedling vigour, growth, productivity and economics of maize.ennullThesis