Optimization of organics requirement for foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) Through enriched liquid manures spray in long term organic production system of deep Vertisols

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during Kharif 2023 with an aim to optimize organic manure requirement through foliar application of liquid manures and performance of Foxtail Millet in a long organic production system. Treatment includes spray of organic liquid manures compared with water spray applied at the tillering and panicle initiation stages. For all the treatments, 30 kg N ha-1 through vermicompost was applied. Results showed foliar application of panchagavya @ 3% at tillering and panicle initiation stages has resulted in taller plants, larger leaf area, more tillers per sq meter, dry matter production per plant. Further, it also produced additional yield of 622 kg ha-1 and straw yield of 956 kg ha-1 over without foliar spray. It also resulted in additional gross returns (₹. 22.72 ×103 ha-1) net returns (₹. 21.33 ×103 ha-1), and BC ratio (0.74). However, it was found non-significant with the application of foliar spray of vermiwash @ 5% and jeevamrutha @ 500 L ha-1 at tillering and panicle initiation stages, which demonstrated their ability to improve growth, yield and economic viability. It was confirmed that application of vermicompost on N equivalent and supplement foliar spray of either Panchagavya @3% or vernmiwash@5% or Jeevamrutha@ 500 L ha-1 at tillering and panicle initiation stage was found effective in foxtail millet.