Effect of panchagavya and row spacing on growth and yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2024 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy. The soil of experiment plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.6), low in organic carbon (0.47%) available nitrogen (228 kg/ha), available phosphorus (22.9 kg/ha) and available potassium (236.1 kg/ha). The treatments consisted of 3 levels of panchagavya (2%, 4% and 6%) and spacing (30 cm × 10 cm, 40 cm × 10 cm and 50 cm × 10 cm). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 9 treatments and replication thrice. Application Panchagavya 6% and spacing of 40 cm × 10 cm (Treatment 8) recorded significantly higher plant height (116.84 cm), higher plant dry weight (50.75 g) at harvest, maximum number of earheads/m2 (33.67), maximum number of grains/earhead (1950.27), highest grain yield (3.32 t/ha) and highest stover yield (8.20 t/ha). Therefore, said treatment also recorded Highest gross return (112802.35 INR/ha), net return (74984.85 INR/ha) and B:C ratio (1.98).