Growth and productivity of succeeding pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) influenced by residual phosphorus, zinc and zinc solubilizer

Abstract

Two year field experiment was conducted at Rajasthan Agriculture Research Institute, Durgapura, during rainy seasons of 2016 and 2017 in split plot design with three replications to study the growth, productivity and economics of fenugreek - pearl millet cropping system by using four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5/ha) and six treatments of zinc and zinc solubilizer [0, 2.5 and 5.0 kg Zn/ha, zinc solubilizer (Bacillus endophyticus), 2.5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer & 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer) applied to fenugreek. Results revealed that all growth and yield attributes of pearl millet were increase up to 40 kg P2O5/ha while, plant height, dry matter and yield increased up to 60 kg P2O5/ha. The residual effects of 60 kg P2O5/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer applied to fenugreek increased grain yield of pearl millet by 52 and 46%, respectively. The highest growth and yield contributing characters obtained with 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer was at par with 2.5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer. The net returns and B: C ratios were also highest in 60 kg P2O5/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer applied treatments.