Effect of foliar nutrient application on growth, yield and economics of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] under dryland condition

Abstract

An experiment was carried out during four consecutive kharif season from the years 2018 to 2021. Pearl millet variety GHB 558 PEB was sown at onset of monsoon during kharif season of consecutive four years with line sowing at 45 cm spacing. Three stages for foliar sprays (F) viz; F₁: Tillering stage, F2: Flowering stage, F3: Tillering and flowering stages and four foliar sprays of nutrients (N) ) viz; N1: Urea @ 2.0%, N2: Water soluble complex fertilizer (19:19:19) @ 0.5%, N3: Foliar spray of ZnSO4.7H2O @ 0.5%, N4: Water soluble complex fertilizer (19:19:19) @ 0.5% fb Foliar spray of ZnSO₄.7H₂O @ 0.5% laid out in randomized complete block design. Among the different stages, application of foliar nutrients at tillering and flowering stages (F₃) and nutrient spray (N₄) Water soluble complex fertilizer (19:19:19) @ 0.5% fb Foliar spray of ZnSO4.7H2O @ 0.5% recorded significantly higher plant height, no. of effective tillers, grain (1278 kg/ha), dry fodder (2945 kg/ha) yield of pearl millet during four years pooled analysis. Highest gross and net realization of ₹.36090/ha and ₹.22286/ha, respectively with the benefit : cost ratio (BCR) value of 2.61 was obtained under treatment combination F3N4