Archives of Current Research International

Nano-fertilisers are potential alternatives to conventional synthetic fertilisers in sustainable agricultural production. A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-25 at the Student Research Farm, Department of Horticulture (Vegetable Science), School of Agriculture Science, Technology & Research, Sardar Patel University, Balaghat (M.P.), India. The study evaluated the effects of vermicompost and nano-nitrogen applications on the growth, yield and economic performance of pumpkin under field conditions. The experiment comprised nine treatments arranged in a Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The treatments included a control (T1), the recommended dose of fertiliser (T2), two vermicompost levels (T3 and T4), nano-nitrogen sprays at different concentrations (T5-T7) and integrated applications of vermicompost with nano-nitrogen (T8 and T9). The integrated application of vermicompost and nano-fertiliser, particularly T9 (VC 5.0 t/ha + Nano N @ 2 ml/lit), improved plant growth, yield and economic performance. T9 recorded the highest fruit yield (36,100 kg/ha), average fruit weight (1610 g) and earliest harvest (61.7 days), along with the maximum net return (₹1,89,450/ha) and benefit-cost (B:C) ratio (8.01). This was followed by T8 (VC 2.5 t/ha + Nano N @ 1 ml/lit). In contrast, the control (T1) recorded the lowest productivity and economic return. These findings indicate that integrated nutrient management, particularly the combination of vermicompost and nano-nitrogen, may improve pumpkin productivity, profitability and resource-use efficiency under Rabi-season cultivation.