Seed priming with zinc increases the seed germination and seedling growth of many crops. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of seed priming with different levels and sources of zinc on seed germination and seedling growth of barnyard millet variety MDU1. A germination experiment was conducted with various Zn sources and concentrations viz., T1- Non-primed seeds (control); T2-water priming; T3-GA3 priming; T4-T6: seed priming with 0.10%,  0.25% & 0.50% ZnSO4 ; T7- T9:  seed priming with 0.10%, 0.25% & 0.50% Zn EDTA; T10-T12: seed priming with 0.10%, 0.25% & 0.50% Zn citrate and the experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD) which were replicated five times. The seeds of MDU1 variety were treated with different sources and levels of Zn for 12h and the seed germination study was carried out for 15 days. After 15 days, the germination percentage, speed of germination, germination energy, germination index and the seedling growth parameters such as, root length, shoot length, vigour index and seedling dry weight were recorded. Seed priming with 0.50% ZnSO4 performed better in increasing the germination percentage (99%), speed of germination (76.2%), germination energy (69.4%), germination index (3.91) and seedlings growth parameters like shoot length (14.7cm), root length (16.5cm), seedlings dry weight (0.44g), vigour index I (3099) and II (44.6),  Zn content (21.9 mg kg-1) & its uptake (5.54 mg g-1). This was closely followed by seed priming of Zn EDTA at 0.25% and Zn citrate at 0.50%. From this study, it can be concluded that seed priming with 0.50% ZnSO4 could be used to improve the germination and seedling growth of barnyard millet which was also economical.

Aims: To evaluate the effect of various levels and methods of zinc fertilization in improving the growth and yield of barnyard millet at different growth stages. Study Design: Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was conducted in the farmer’s field at Pasur village, Coimbatore district from January to April, 2022. Methodology: A field experiment was conducted with barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea L.) var. MDU 1 by using different levels of ZnSO4 at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 kg ha-1 as basal soil application and foliar spraying of 0.25, 0.50 & 0.75% twice along with soil test based NPK as control in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The growth and yield parameters such as plant height, SPAD index, root length, lateral root length, root volume, no. of tillers, panicle length, panicle weight, 1000 grain weight, grain and straw yield were recorded as per standard protocols. Results: Application of soil test based NPK + 20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 performed better in increasing the plant height (157.0 cm), SPAD index (46.3), root length (21.1 cm), lateral root length (16.3 cm), root volume (3.80 cc) and yield attributes like number of tillers (5.06), panicle length (17.6 cm), panicle weight (29.2 g) and 1000 seed weight (3.89g) of barnyard millet. Higher grain (2606 kg ha-1) and straw yield (3411 kg ha-1) was also registered with the addition of soil test based NPK+20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 which was 27.1% increase over NPK. Conclusion: Basal soil application of soil test based NPK + 20 kg ZnSO4 ha‑1 was found optimal and economical for improving the growth and yield of barnyard millet variety MDU 1.