Productivity And Nutrient Use Efficiency Of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum Glaucum) As Influenced By Vermicompost And Fertilizers

An experiment was conducted during rainy seasons of 2003 and 2004 at collage of Agriculture, Bikaner to study the effect of vermicompost and inorganic fertilizers on productivity and nutrient use efficiency of pearlmillet (pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. Emend stunz). Results of study revealed that plant height, dry mater accumulation at harvest, total number of tillers at 40 DAS, yield attributes, Seed and stover yields, harvest index, total nutrient uptake (N, P and K), net returns and B: C ratio increase significantly due to drilling of vermicompost @ 2 tone/ha over control where as its drilling @ 1 tone/ha remain statically at per with soil incorporation @ 2 tone/ha. Maximum and significantly higher growth parameters, yield attributes, yields. HI, nutrient uptake, net return and B: C ratio were recorded due to application of 90 kg N + 45 kg P₂O₅/ha as compared to control (N₀P₀). The apparent recovery of Nitrogen and Phosphorus, nutrient (N and P) use efficiency were highest with the drilling of vermicompost @ 1 tonne/ha. fertilizer applied @ N₃₀P₁₅(30 kg N + 15 kg P₂O₅/ha) resulted in the highest recovery and use efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus and progressively decrease with increasing levels of fertilizers.