Effect of potassium and zinc on growth and yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during Kharif season on Pearl millet crop in Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj during the year 2024. The experiment was laid out in Randomize Block Design with the treatments consist of three levels of potassium and three levels of zinc and one control was used which are replicated thrice as T1 Potassium 35 kg/ha + Zinc 15 kg/ha, T2 Potassium 35 kg/ha + Zinc 20 kg/ha, T3 Potassium 35 kg/ha + Zinc 25 kg/ha T4 Potassium 45 kg/ha + Zinc 15 kg/ha, T5 Potassium 45 kg/ha + Zinc 20 kg/ha, T6 Potassium 45 kg/ha + Zinc 25 kg/ha, T7 Potassium 55 kg/ha + Zinc 15 kg/ha, T8 Potassium 55 kg/ha + Zinc 20 kg/ha, T9 Potassium 55 kg/ha + Zinc 25 kg/ha and a T10 Control. The result was recorded significant variation among the treatments and soil parameters. The soil of experiment plot was sandy loamy in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 6.8), low in organic carbon (0.46 %), available N (225.42 kg/ha), available P (38.2 kg/ha) and available K (240.7 kg/ha). Application of Potassium 55 kg/ha + Zinc 25 kg/ha was recorded with the results which revealed that significantly highest growth attributes of Pearl millet at 80 DAS viz., Plant height (201.58 cm), dry weight (151.88 g) were recorded in treatment 9, grains/head (1748.75) and yield attributes such as grain yield (4387.10 kg/ha) and stover yield (7886.59 kg/ha) were recorded highest in treatment 9 (Potassium 55 kg/ha + Zinc 25kg/ha) as compared to other treatments. Maximum gross return (INR 1,17,128.28/ha), net return (INR 78,559.28/ha) and B:C ratio (2.04) was also recorded in treatment 9.