Grain yield, water use and water-use efficiency of pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum) hybrids under variable nitrogen application

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharil) season of 2000 and 2001 on sandy-loam soil at Hisar, to study the response of pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz] hybrids to nitrogen levels. Pearlmillet ‘HHB 94’ showed significantly higher grain yield (30.74 q/ha), higher seasonal water use (273.5 mm) and water-use efficiency (11.30 kg/ha-mm) than rest of the hybrids. Application of 120 kg N/ha, being at par with 150 kg N/ha, resulted in higher grain yield, water use and water-use efficiency than rest of the nitrogen levels. The economic optimum dose of N for ‘HHB 94’, ‘HHB 67’, ‘HHB 60’, ‘HHB 117’ and ‘HHB 146’ was 101.5, 105.8, 91.1, 82.3 and 142.5 kg/ha respectively.