Effect of bio-organics and seed priming on crop productivity, post-harvest soil fertility profile, biological counts and economics of pearl millet under rain-fed condition of Rajasthan

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023 at the research farm of Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur to study Effect of bio-organics and seed priming on crop productivity, post-harvest soil fertility profile biological counts and economics of pearl millet under rain-fed condition of Rajasthan”. Experiment was conducted in split plot design and replicated thrice. Bio-organics factor comprised of 4 treatments, viz. Control, FYM + bio-mix, vermicompost + bio-mix and poultry manure + bio-mix and seed priming factor comprised of 4 treatments, viz. control, potassium nitrate @0.5%, salicylic acid @200 ppm and abscisic acid @150 ppm. Significantly higher grain, stover and biological yield of pearl millet were recorded with poultry manure+ bio-mix but these parameters were at par with vermicompost + bio-mix. Soil parameters viz. Ec, pH, available K, Fe and Zn numerical increase with poultry manure+ bio-mix. But available N, P and actinomycetes were obtained maximum under poultry manure+ bio-mix, bacteria and fungi were recorded higher with vermicompost+ bio-mix and FYM+ bio-mix, respectively. In seed priming treatments significantly higher grain, stover and biological yield of pearl millet were recorded under abscisic acid @150 ppm over control but these were recorded at par with salicylic acid @200 ppm. Soil nutrient and biological counts was not significantly influenced by seed priming. However, Gross returns was recorded significantly higher with abscisic acid @150 ppm but being at par with salicylic acid @200 ppm. Hence, poultry manure + bio-mix along with seed priming through salicylic acid @200 ppm may be recommended for enhancing crop productivity, quality and economics in pearl millet.