Effect of different dates of sowing on growth and yield of pearl millet (<em>Pannisetum glaucum</em> L.) varieties under semi-arid region

Abstract

Pearl Millet is the major source of energy and protein for millions of people. Millet produces high quality grains than any other cereals under extreme conditions: like unfertile soil, intense heat and prolong drought. An experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2016 at College of Agriculture, RVSKVV, Gwalior. With the treatment combination of three Date of Sowing (20th, 30th July and 9th August) and five varieties of pearl millet (Big B, Crystal Dhoom, Boss-65, Ankur-045 and 86M86). The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The result reveled that yield attribute and B:C Ratio (benefit cost ratio) were recorded significantly higher in the variety Crystal Dhoom on first date of sowing (20th.July). Variety Crystal Dhoom recorded significantly higher grain yield 1989.70 Kg/ha followed by varieties Boss-65 1162.54 Kg/ha, Ankur-045 1792.75 Kg/ha, 86M86 1675.52 Kg/ha and Big B 1768.18 Kg/ha respectively. The highest Net Return (Rs/ha) 19066 (Rs/ha) was recorded in variety Crystal Dhoom followed by varieties Boss-65, 5713 (Rs/ha), Ankur-045 14550 (Rs/ha) 86M86, 13321 (Rs/ha) Big B gave15066 (Rs/ha) respectively. Significant variations were observed in different growth and yield parameters among the sowing dates. First sowing date (20th July) statistically showed maximum grain yield 1976.94Kg/ha followed by second date of sowing (30thjuly) 1737.82 Kg/ha and third date of sowing (9th august) 1318.45Kg/ha respectively. Similarly First sowing date (20th July) statistically showed maximum Net Return (Rs/ha) 17941 (Rs/ha) followed by second date of sowing (30th July) 14919 (Rs/ha) and third date of sowing (9th august) 7770 (Rs/ha) respectively.