Influence of integrated nutrient sources and seed priming on growth seed yield and quality in Nutri-cereal Proso millet

Abstract

Prosomillet [Panicum miliaceum L.] is a tetraploid crop (2n=4x=36) belonging to the grass family Poaceae. It is one of the oldest grain crops, which is rich in protein and iron than wheat or rice. Integrated application of organic manures, in conjugation with chemical fertilizers and bio-priming improves the physico-chemical properties of soil and maintains a feasible plant growth condition, thus augment the seed yield and quality. Keeping these views, the present investigation was undertaken during three seasons Kharif 2017, 2018 and 2019. The treatment combinations were arranged in Split Plot Design with three replications, which includes four nutrient management treatments as main-plots (N1-without fertilizer, N2-organic manures, N3-chemical fertilizers and N4-integrated application) and priming as sub-plots treatments (P1-control, P2- hydro-priming, P3-chemo-priming and P4-bio-priming). The direct sowing of proso millet with fertilizer dose 125 kg neem + 1250 kg vermi-compost per ha + 50 kg Urea + 50 kg SSP and 50 kg MOP per ha + top dressing urea at 3-4 weeks after transplanting + 2% borax spray at flowering stage enhanced the seed yield and quality in proso millet cv. TNAU-145. The resultant increase in the yield of N4 (integrated application of organic and inorganic fertilizers) was to the extent of 44.76 per cent as against control (N1). Seed priming with 20% liquid Pseudomonas fluorescence enhanced the yield of proso millet cv. TNAU-145 by 39.0 per cent. The combination of priming and fertilizer application enhanced the seed yield and quality of proso millet to a greater extent. Hence, combining seed priming and integrated fertilizer application offers the best growth and yield in proso millet.