Enhancing productivity and quality of kharif pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) hybrid through micronutrients

Abstract

The field investigation entitled “Enhancing productivity and quality of kharif pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) hybrid through micronutrients’’ was carried out on experimental farm of National Agricultural Research Project, Chh. Sambhajinagar, during Kharif 2022. The experimental site was well leveled having well drainage facility. The experimental plot soil was clay in texture, nutrients status was good i.e., moderate in available nitrogen (157.0 kg ha-1), low in available phosphorous (20.11 kg ha-1) and high in available potassium (395 kg ha-1) and alkaline (PH 8.59) in reaction. The concentration of zinc, iron, manganese, copper and boron in experimental plot was 0.39, 4.14, 5.79, 2.01 and 0.29 ppm respectively. The experimental condition prevailed during experimental period was favorable for normal growth and development. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design. Nine treatment combinations with pearl millet hybrids HHB299 and application practices were replicated thrice in the experiment. The gross and net plot sizes were 5.00 x 4.50 m2 and 4.80 x 3.60 m2 respectively. All the protective measure was done as per recommendation viz. seed treatment, pest and disease management and irrigation management. Sowing was done by dibbling on 6th July, 2022. From the result of experiment, it can be concluded that, amongst the different application practices treatment (T9) i.e., ZnSO4 (25 kg ha-1) + FeSO4 (20 kg ha-1) + 0.2% Borax was found significantly better for getting higher grain yield (3356 kg ha-1) followed by treatment (T2) RDF + Soil application ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 at sowing (3022 kg ha-1). The maximum net monetary return (Rs 81392 ha-1) was recorded by RDF+ ZnSO4 (25 kg ha-1) + FeSO4 (20 kg ha-1) + 0.2% Borax of pearl millet crop. On the basis of economics of different treatments T9 was found most remunerative of B: C ratio.