Regional Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bijapur, Karnataka, 586 101
1,2 Present address: All-India Co-ordinated Research Project on Pearl millet
A field experiment was conducted during 3 rainy seasons of 2000–2002 at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bijapur, in medium black soil, to study the effect of fertilizer and biofertilizer on pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz] under sole and intercropping system. The grain yield of pearl millet was significantly higher under sole cropping (18.88 q/ha) compared to intercropped pearl millet (16.69 q/ha). However, pearl millet-equivalent yield, net returns and benefit: cost ratio were higher with pearl millet + pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] (2:1) intercropping system (47.38 q/ha, Rs 113,988/ha and 2.79 respectively) over sole crop of pearl millet (18.88 q/ha, Rs 4,864/ha and 2.25 respectively). Irrespective of cropping systems, application of 60 kg N + 40 kg P2O5/ha recorded significantly higher pearl millet-grain equivalent yield (36.17 q/ha) over absolute control, seed treatment with biofertilizer alone and application of 20 kg N+15 kg P2O5/ha (28.30, 31.22 and 33.42 q/ha respectively) but was on par with 40 kg N + 30 kg P2O5/ha + biofertilizer and recommended fertilizer dose (50 kg N + 25 kg P2O5/ha) of the region (35.41 and 33.71 q/ha respectively). Net monetary returns were higher with application of 60 kg N + 40 kg P2O5/ha (Rs 10,144/ha) and it was on a par with 40 kg N + 30 kg P2O5/ha + biofertilizer seed treatment (Rs 10,130/ha).
Pearl millet, Pigeonpea, Intercropping, Fertilizer, Bio-fertilizer, Yield, Economics
