Response of bajra in its growth and yield attributes to integrated nutrient management

Abstract

Kumbu known as pear millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.)] is one of the important millet crops for arid and semi-arid climatic condition and serves as poor man’s staple source of food in short period relatively in arid regions of India. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) experiment was carried out at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2009- 10 to study the outcome of integrated nutrient management where the results have shown that on inoculating seed with azotobacter increased both pant height and in total dry matter content. A study conducted to analyse fertilizer effect on pearl millet revealed that under semi-arid inceptisols, 100% NPK + FYM at 10 tha−1 + Zn at 25 kg ha−1 + S at 25 kg ha−1 recommended can help in getting maximum yields of Bajra. At the Agricultural Farm of Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur experiment was conducted to study phosphorus and zinc nutrients, their effect on overall nutrient uptake and quality in pearl millet. N, P and K content in grain and straw have been found to be increased from 1.56 to 2.02, 0.773 to 1.320, 1.10 to 1.97 % and 1.11 to 1.41, 0.23 to 0.50 and 0.68 to 1.20 %, respectively. In Annamalai University, on the basis of experimental data significant results were recorded in the nutrient content, quality and highest nutrient content, protein content, protein yield and water productivity were observed with PHB-3 among all the experimented genotypes of bajra. It was also found that using vermicompost @ 500 kg ha-1 gave highest nutrient content, protein content, protein yield and water productivity over the rest of the treatments. Considering all approaches giving out their benefits, the best approach for maximising yields in bajra under arid conditions by maintaining soil properties would be the Integrated Nutrient Management approach.