Effect of sowing dates on yield of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] varieties under semi-arid region of Rajasthan

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy farm, School of Agriculture, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur (Rajasthan) during kharif, 2024 on loamy sand soil with objective to “Effect of Sowing Dates on Yield of Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] varieties under Semi-arid Region of Rajasthan”. The sixteen treatment combinations consisting of four each of date of sowing (15th June, 30th June, 15th July and 30th July) and variety (HHB-60, MPMH-17, ICMH-356 and Raj-171) were tested in randomized block design with three replications. The highest plant stands per meter row length, plant height and dry matter accumulatio were recorded with sowing on 30th June and followed by 15th July sowing. Date of sowing significantly influenced the grain, stover and biological yield of pearl millet and highest yield was recorded with sowing on 30th June as compared to 30th July and 15th June and remained statistically at par with 15th July. The maximum growth attributes traits i.e. plant stand, height and dry matter accumulation were with MPHP-17 followed by Raj-171. The highest number of effective tillers was recorded for Raj-171, followed by MPMH-17, while the lowest was observed for HHB-60. Raj-171 recorded the highest number of effective tillers (11.37 per meter row length). Raj-171 variety, the increase the effective tillers was 6.67% compared to HHB-60. The highest grain, stover and biological yield of pearl millet were recorded with MPHP-17 followed by Raj-171.