Influence of Organic Nutrients and Bioinoculants on Growth and Productivity of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under Semi-arid Conditions of Rajasthan

Abstract

Background: Pearl millet is also called as the “Powerhouse of Nutrition” as it consists of most of the important nutrients in good quantity and quality which are required for maintaining healthy life. Indiscriminate use of high analysis chemical fertilizers results in the environment pollution which is detrimental to the sustainability; there is an urgent need for adoption of farming practice which ensures sustainability, good soil, human and environmental health. Method: A field experiment was taken for three consecutive years during kharif season of 2018 to 2020 at Agronomy Research Farm, Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan to study the impact of various sources of organic nutrients and bioinoculants on growth and productivity of pearl millet. The treatments were comprised of chemical fertilizers, organic manures and microbial biofertilizer consortia (consisting of Azotobactor, Azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria) commercially branded as Biomix, which were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Result: All the treatments including farmyard manure (FYM) and vermicompost with and without Biomix had significant effect on soil properties, growth andyield parameters and yield of pearl millet. The pooled data clearly showed that recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) recorded significantly higher grain (3494 kg/ha) and stover (8612 kg/ha) yields of pearl millet and found at par with treatments T6: 100% RDN through FYM + Biomix; T7: 75% RDN through FYM + Biomix; T8: 100% RDN through vermicompost + Biomixand T9: 75% RDN through vermicompost + Biomixover rest of the treatments. With respect to economics T6 (100% RDN through FYM + Biomix) recorded highest net returns of Rs. 75602 and B:C ratio (4.14) followed by treatment T7 (75% RDN through FYM + Biomix). Continuous application of organic manures with biofertilizers had also significant improvement on soil OC (0.39%), phosphorus (54 kg/ha), potash (310 kg/ha), Zn (0.92 ppm) and Fe (6.92 ppm) over initial soil status.

Effect of Zinc and Thiourea Fertilizer at Different Stages for Growth and Yield of Green Gram

“…Thus, it's suitable supply effects in higher dry matter production, ultimately growth and development of plants. Parallel results were found by Meena et al [7]. While explaining the role of thiourea sulphydryl compounds in maize productivity, Sahu and Solanki [8] were of the view that probably photosynthates transport was improved because of improved dry matter partitioning.…”

Response of alley-cropped pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) to nitrogen and zinc schedules under semi-arid regions

“…The association of the woody perennial with annual crops in the semi-arid region can boost the associated crop yield, soil carbon, nutrient and water as well as improve the soil biology. Conventionally, the pearl millet is grown in nutrientstress conditions of semi-arid region, where soils are inherently low in fertility (Bana et al, 2016). Simultaneously, continuous excessive application of nitrogen (N) caused a widespread deficiency of micronutrients in pearl millet (Choudhary et al, 2016), especially zinc (Zn).…”