Influence of cropping system and nutrient management practices on yield and economics of little millet (Panicum sumatrense)

Abstract

A field study was carried out in the Kharif season of 2024 at the Research cum Instructional Farm of SG College of Agriculture and Research Station, Jagdalpur. The objective was to assess the effects of different cropping systems and nutrient management strategies on the productivity and economic performance of little millet (Panicum sumatrense L.). The experimental design followed a factorial randomized complete block layout with two cropping approaches—monoculture of little millet and intercropping with green gram in a 4:1 ratio—and six nutrient management practices. Intercropping consistently yielded the tallest plants (base crop: 111.85 cm; intercrop: 55.64 cm), highest tiller count (2.58 per plant), maximum leaf area index (0.94), dry matter buildup (6.03 g/plant), grain output (1265.44 kg/ha), straw yield (2388.61 kg/ha), millet grain equivalent yield (2075.21 kg/ha), and the most favorable benefit-to-cost ratio (2.71). Among nutrient treatments, the combination of 75% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) with biofertilizers and foliar application of 2% NPK (19:19:19) resulted in superior growth metrics, including base crop height (123.32 cm), intercrop height (62.88 cm), tiller number (2.74 per plant), LAI (1.44), biomass accumulation (6.79 g/plant), grain yield (1441.67 kg/ha), straw yield (3322.67 kg/ha), millet grain equivalent yield (2002.05 kg/ha), and benefit-to-cost ratio (2.98). This integrated approach was identified as the most effective, profitable, and ecologically sustainable for maximizing yield and resource use efficiency under rainfed upland farming conditions of the Bastar Plateau.