Influence of different types of mulching and biofertilizer on growth of finger millet (Variety-VL Mandua 379)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Himalayan University farm, Jullang, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, during the kharif season of 2023 with 8 treatments replicated thrice in randomized block design, to determine the effect of different types of mulching and biofertilizer on growth of finger millet (Eleusine coracana.). The available nutrient status showed high nitrogen (N), low phosphorus (P), and medium potassium (K) levels. The experiment included the following treatments T1-Control, T2- Karanj leaf mould at + Azotobacter, T3-Karanj leaf mould + Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria at, T4- Neem leaf mould + Azotobacter, T5-Paddy straw + jute bag + Rhizobium, T6-Paddy straw + Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria, T7-Black polythene + Azotobacter and T8-Saw dust + Rhizobium.The highest plant height recorded was 31.27 cm at 30 DAT, 76.87 cm at 60 DAT, 99.20 cm at 90 DAT, and 100.80 cm at harvest, highest number of tillers plant-1 recorded was 2.33 at 30 DAT, 2.80 at 60 DAT, 3.67 at 90 DAT, and 4.07 at harvest, highest number of leaves plant-1 recorded was 25.27 at 30 DAT, 33.40 at 60 DAT, 38.73 at 90 DAT, and 32.13 at harvest and plant dry weight recordings of 8.23 g at 30 DAT, 27.77 g at 60 DAT, 40.64 g at 90 DAT and 51.06 g at harvest were observed with treatment T5 - Paddy straw + jute bag + Rhizobium.