Productivity of Hybrid Summer Pearl Millet (Pennisetum Glaucum L.) as Influenced Bysowing Dates and Fertilizer Levels

Afield experiment was carried out during summer season of 2008 to 2010 and 2012 on medium black soil at Dhule (Maharashtra) to study the response of hybrid pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] to sowing dates and fertilizer levels under irrigated conditions. There were five sowing dates viz. sowing in 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th and 9^th MW (meteorological week) allotted as main plots and three levels of fertilizer viz. 60: 30: 30 kg NPK, 90: 45: 45 kg NPK and 120: 60: 60 kg NPK as sub-plots. The pooled data revealed that sowing of summer pearl millet in 1^st, 3^rdand5^th MW produced significantly higher grain and fodder yields than sowing in 7^th and 9^th MW. Sowing of pearl millet after 5^th MW resulted in decreased number of effective tillers, ear head length and plant height. Application of 120: 60: 60 kg NPK recorded significantly higher grain and fodder yields of pearl millet than other levels of fertilizers.