Effect of foliar supplementation of N, P and K on nutrient dynamics and productivity of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Bikaner, Rajasthan during rainy (kharif) season of 2016 to study the effect of foliar supplementation of N, P and K on nutrient content, uptake and productivity of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend Stuntz]. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 3 replications. The treatments comprised 14 combinations of N, P and K applied through basal application, foliar application and top-dressing. The results revealed that, application of N, P and K through foliar supplementation significantly influenced the nutrient content and uptake in pearl millet. Application of 75% RDF of N (50% basal + 25% top-dressing at 25 DAS) : P : K + 1.5% spray of NPK (18:18:18) at 35 DAS resulted in maximum crude protein content (11.58%), total N uptake (70.7 kg/ha), total P uptake (13.1 kg/ha), total K uptake (74.0 kg/ha), ear-head length (32.4 cm), grain weight per ear-head (23.3 g), grain yield (2.13 t/ha), biological yield (6.88 t/ha) and B:C ratio (2.16) under hot arid conditions of western Rajasthan.