Nitrogen management through organic sources: effects on yield, nutrient uptake and nitrogen balance in rainfed barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea L.)

Abstract

Barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea L.) is recognized as a hardy, climate-resilient minor millet that performs well under rainfed conditions and plays an important role in food and nutritional security in marginal ecosystems. Nitrogen management through organic inputs is essential not only for sustaining productivity but also for enhancing nutrient uptake and maintaining long-term soil fertility. To evaluate the influence of organic sources of nitrogen on yield, nutrient uptake and nitrogen balance in rainfed barnyard millet, a field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2024 at Organic Farming Research Institute, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka, India. The study compared different levels of nitrogen through farmyard manure (FYM) and vermicompost in combination with organic liquid formulations such as jeevamrutha and gokrupamrutha. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with twelve treatments and three replications. Significant improvements in grain yield, straw yield and NPK uptake were recorded with the treatment receiving recommended FYM @ 5t ha-1 + Azospirillum seed treatment fb soil application of jeevamrutha @ 500 l ha-1 fb gokrupamrutha spray @ 125 l ha-1 at 30 DAS and 45 DAS. This treatment resulted in the maximum percentage increase in grain yield (143.08%) and straw yield (145.59%) over the absolute control, along with significantly higher nitrogen (28.35 kg ha-1), phosphorus (14.54 kg ha-1) and potassium (18.36 kg ha-1) uptake at harvest. The study demonstrates that organic nitrogen management strategies significantly improve yield performance and nutrient assimilation, while ensuring better nitrogen balance and soil fertility, thereby advancing the sustainability of barnyard millet production under rainfed ecosystems.