Effect of enriched vermicompost on growth, yield and economics of pearl millet in organic condition

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2020 to 2022 at Pearl millet Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India to study the effect of enriched vermicompost on growth, yield and economics of pearl millet under organic condition. An experiment was laid in large plot design with five times repetition and seven treatments in organic plot. Recommended dose of fertilizer was tested out the side organic plot. The results revealed that the application of RDF (outside the organic plot) recorded higher growth and yield attributes and grain (1772 kg/ha) and fodder (3280 kg/ha) yields which were on par with FYM 5 t/ha along with vermicompost 2 t/ha enriched with Azospirillum 2 L/ha, PSB 2 L/ha, KSB 2 L/ha, Trichoderma harzianum 3 kg/ha, Pseudomonas fluorescens 3 L/ha and Beauveria bassiana 3 kg/ha viz., total tillers per plant (3.76), effective tillers per plant (2.36) and ear head length (21.88 cm), grain (1490 kg/ha) and fodder (3010 kg/ha) yields. The RDF also recorded higher economics which were also at par with same enriched treatment and noted gross return (Rs. 45,356/ha), net return (Rs. 11,750) and B:C ratio (1.35). The lowest growth and yield attributes, yield and economics were noted in control treatment.