Zinc and Iron fortification through enriched organics and foliar nutrition on growth, yield and economics of foxtail millet (Setaria italica

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the impacts of zinc and iron enriched organic manures on growth and yield of foxtail millet in an Organic block. Results revealed that significantly higher grain and stover yield, net returns and Benefit cost ratio (1262 kg/ha, 4210 kg/ha, ? 27185 /ha and 2.83 respectively) were recorded with application of Zn and Fe enriched compost along with foliar spray of panchagavya and was found on par with the treatment receiving Zn and Fe enriched vermicompost along with foliar spray of ZnSO4 and FeSO4 (0.5 %) at 30 DAS (1232 kg /ha, 4195 kg /ha,? 25522 /ha and 2.62 respectively) and Zn and Fe enriched vermicompost along with foliar spray of panchagavya (3%) at 30 and 45 DAS (1137 kg /ha, 4092 kg /ha, ? 21897 /ha and 2.31 respectively). These treatments also showed similar effects with respect to growth and yield parameters contributing for the higher yield and monetary benefits.