Effect of agronomic fortification of zinc and iron on growth parameters and yield of foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.)] genotypes

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at ARS, Hagari on medium black soil during rabi-2017 to study the effect of agronomic fortification with zinc and iron on growth parameters and yield of foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.)] genotypes. The experiment was laid on split plot design consisting of three genotypes in the main plot and seven different levels of micronutrients application in sub plot. The genotypes recorded non-significant difference with respect to the growth parameters and yield. Among the micronutrients application the treatment M7: RDF + Soil application of ZnSO4 at 15 kg ha-1 and FeSO4 at 10 kg ha-1 + Foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4 and FeSO4 each 30 DAS recorded significantly higher number of tillers plant-1 (4.21), leaf area (41.26, 83.47 and 27.82 cm2 plant-1 at 30, 60 and at harvest, respectively), total dry matter accumulation (2.53, 11.01 and 29.69 g plant-1 at 30, 60 and at harvest, respectively), grain yield (2272 kg ha-1), stover yield (9298 kg ha-1) and harvest index (19.63 %). In interaction effect G3: Sia-2644 and M7: RDF + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 15 kg ha-1 & FeSO4 @ 10 kg ha-1 + Foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4 and FeSO4 each 30 DAS recorded significantly higher number of tillers plant-1 (4.32), leaf area (41.75, 85.23 and 30.19 cm2 plant-1 at 30, 60 and at harvest, respectively), total dry matter accumulation (2.48, 11.28 and 30.52 g plant-1 at 30, 60 and at harvest, respectively), grain yield (2321 kg ha-1), stover yield (9363 kg ha-1) and harvest index (19.85 %).