Evaluation of production factors in improving yield and economics in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka

Abstract

A field study in pearl millet was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Vijayapur during kharif 2021-22 and 2022-23. The soil of the experimental sight was sandy loam in texture. The experiment was designed in randomized block design, replicated thrice. The treatment details was T1: Full package & practices of the location [(RDF+ ZnSO4 + FeSO4 + bioinoculant ST + thinning + weeding & hoeing + Irrigation] , T2: T1- RDF , T3: T1- ZnSO4 at 25 kg/ha, T4: T1- FeSO4 at 0.5-0.75% at 20-25 DAS, T5: T1- bioinoculant seed treatment, T6: T1- thinning & gap filling, T7: T1- weeding & hoeing (3 & 5 weeks after sowing) and T8: T1- Irrigation. Pooled data of two years indicated that, plant height, number of total tillers, effective tillers per plant and test weight were significantly increased in T1 (174.0 cm, 4.07, 3.17 and 12.68 g, respectively) and it was found to be on par with T3 and T4. Grain and dry fodder yield were significantly higher in T1: implementation of full package of practices (2694 and 5778 kg/ha, respectively). The grain yield was found to be on par with T4: T1- FeSO4 at 0.5-0.75% at 20-25 DAS and T5: T1- bioinoculant seed treatment (2415 and 2405 kg/ha, respectively). The data indicated that percent grain yield reduction was 36-39% if proper fertilization (T2) or weeding (T7) was not carried out. Significantly higher net returns (Rs. 30468/ha) and B-C ratio (3.08) were found in full package of practices treatment (T1) and lower in T2 (Skipping RDF).