Effect of Times of Sowing and Nitrogen Levels on Yield and Yield Attributes of Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)

Abstract

Background: Optimum sowing time which enables the utilization of all the available resources is prerequisite to achieve the potential crop yield. Quantifying nitrogen requirement of a crop is important as nitrogen directly influences the crop yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate sowing time and nitrogen levels on proso millet yield and yield attributes. Methods: The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications having four times of sowing [II FN of June (S1), I FN of July (S2), II FN of July (S3) and I FN of August (S4)] as main plots and four nitrogen levels [0 kg N ha-1 (N1), 20 kg N ha-1 (N2), 40 kg N ha-1 (N3) and 60 kg N ha-1 (N4)] as sub plots. Result: Among the sowing times tried, II FN of June (S1) sown crop resulted in the higher yield attributes, grain and straw yield. While their lowest were with the crop sown during I FN of August (S4). Significantly higher yield attributes, grain and straw yield were observed with the application of 60 kg N ha-1 (N4) than with 40 kg N ha-1 (N3). Reduced yield attributes, grain and straw yield were observed with no nitrogen application (N1).