Impact of hydrogel application and zinc fertilization on growth and growth efficiency of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Rajasthan) during the kharif season of 2021 on loamy sand soil. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design comprised 16 combinations of treatment viz., four levels of hydrogel (control, 2.5 kg ha^-1, 5.0 kg ha^-1 and 7.5 kg ha^-1) and four levels of zinc fertilization (control, foliar spray of ZnSO₄ @ 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75%). The pearl millet [(Pennisetum glaucum L.) R. Br. emend Stuntz] crop under the influence of pusa hydrogel @ 5.0 kg ha^-1, being at par with pusa hydrogel 7.5 kg ha^-1 significantly enhanced plant height, dry matter accumulation at different growth stages, RGR, CGR, LAI and number of tillers over pusa hydrogel 2.5 kg ha^-1 and the control. Application of pusa hydrogel 5.0 kg ha^-1 also recorded significantly higher grain and stover yield and remained at par with higher level of pusa hydrogel 7.5 kg ha^-1, however, both these treatments significantly increased grain and stover yield over the application of pusa hydrogel 2.5 kg ha^-1 and the control. Results also showed that foliar spray of ZnSO₄ @ 0.5% significantly improved growth parameters viz., plant height, dry matter accumulation at successive growth stages, RGR, CGR, LAI, number of tillers and yield of pearl millet crop over foliar spray of ZnSO₄ @ 0.25% and the control treatment and remained at par with foliar spray of ZnSO₄ @ 0.75%. Thus, the application of pusa hydrogel (5.0 kg ha^-1) and foliar application of ZnSo₄ (0.5%) together in pearl millet crop was found productive.