Production potential and economics of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) as affected by integrated nutrient management

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2016 on sandy loam textured soil of Agronomical Research Farm, Western Section, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi under rainfed upland condition in RBD with 10 treatments replicated thrice. It was observed that of the 10 treatments higher yield attributing characters viz., effective tillers/m2 (111.7), weight of ear (8.57 g), finger length (7.40 cm) and no. of grains/ear (1203) was recorded with the application of FYM (10 t/ha) + Biofertilizers (Azospirillum brasilense + Bacillusspp. + Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 20 g/kg seed each) + ZnSO4 (12.5 kg/ha) + Borax (5kg/ha) + 75% RDF. Maximum grain yield (3774 kg/ha) was recorded with application of FYM (10 t/ha) + Biofertilizer + ZnSO4 (12.5 kg/ha) + Borax (5kg/ha) + 75% RDF while straw yield (7695 kg/ha) was recorded maximum with application of FYM (10 t/ha) + Biofertilizer + ZnSO4 (12.5 kg/ha) + Borax (5kg/ha) + 100% RDF. Minimum grain yield (1197.7 kg/ha) and straw yield (2770 kg/ha) was observed with control. The highest gross returns (Rs.72740/ha), net returns (Rs.52272/ha) and B: C (2.55) ratio was observed with the application of FYM (10 t/ha) + Biofertilizer + ZnSO4 (12.5 kg/ha) + Borax (5kg/ha) + 75% RDF.