Effect of different establishment techniques, levels and time of application of nitrogen on partitioning of dry matter in finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.]

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of establishment techniques, levels and time of application of nitrogen on partitioning of dry matter in finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn]. The field experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with 48 treatments and three replications. Total number of 48 treatments consisted of four techniques of establishment as main plot [T₁-Recommended transplanting at 20 × 15 cm, T₂-Random transplanting, T₃-Random broadcasting of 30 days old seedlings (Awatni) and T₄-Random broadcasting of 20 days old seedling (Awatni)], three nitrogen levels in sub-plot (F₁-60 kg N/ha, F₂-80 kg N/ha and F₃-100 kg N/ha) and four times of nitrogen application as sub-sub plot [S₀-Basal (half dose through suphala (15: 15: 15), S₁-2 splits-TP, 30 DAT, S₂-3 splits-TP, 30 DAT, 60 DAT, S₃-4 splits-TP, 20 DAT, 40 DAT and 60 DAT]. Results revealed that to obtain higher dry matter, grain and straw yield per ha the finger millet crop should be established by recommended transplanting at 20 x 15 cm and supplied with 100 kg nitrogen per ha along with three equal splits of nitrogen (at transplanting, 30 and 60 DAT).