Integrated nutrient management in pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum) in north-western Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2014 and 2015 on loamy sand soil of Bikaner, Rajasthan, to study the integrated nutrient management in pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]. The experiment comprising of 8 treatments, viz. control, 50% recommended dose of fertilizer (30 kg N + 20 kg P₂O₅ + 10 kg K₂O/ha), 50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + Azotobactor + phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), 50% RDF + 5 t FYM + Azotobactor, 50% RDF + 5 t FYM + PSB, 50% RDF + 5 t FYM + Azotobactor + PSB, 100% RDF (60 kg N + 40 kg P₂O₅ + 20 kg K₂O/ha) and 100% RDF + Azotobactor + PSB in randomized block design with 3 replications. Application of 100% RDF + Azotobactor + PSB significantly increased plant height (182.2 cm), dry-matter accumulation (81.83 g/plant), total tillers (2.23), chlorophyll content (2.96 mg/g), effective tillers/plant (1.63), ear length (19.63), girth of ear (78.6 mm), grain weight/ear (6.19 g), 1, 000-seed weight (7.73 g), grain (2.48 t/ha) and straw yields (4.34 t/ha), content of N (1.84 and 0.594%), P (0.293 and 0.141%) and K (0.735 and 2.28%) in grain and straw and total uptake of N (71.5 kg/ha), P (13.4 kg/ha) and K (117.0 kg/ha). Organic carbon, available N, P and K status of soil after harvest of pearlmillet increased significantly with 100% RDF + Azotobactor + PSB or 50% RDF + 5 t FYM + Azotobactor + PSB. Significantly maximum net returns ( 37, 594/ha) with benefit: cost ratio (2.29) of pearlmillet was obtained under 100% RDF + Azotobactor + PSB.