Effect of nutrient management on grain, straw yield and economics in transplanted proso millet

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (Kharif) season of 2016 at Dapoli, Maharashtra, to study the nutrient management on grain, straw yield and economics in transplanted proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) in lateritic soils of Western Ghats. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design, containing 4 main plot and 5 subplot treatments with 3 replications. The main plot comprised 4 ages of seedlings, viz. 20 days, 30 days, 40 days and 50 days. The subplots consisted of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM, 50% RDF + 50% N through FYM, 25% RDF + 75% N through FYM and 100% N through FYM. The crop transplanted with higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content and higher uptake were recorded with seedlings transplanted at 30 days as compared to the remaining treatments. The highest net returns of 4647/ha with a Benefit: cost (B:C) ratio of 1.25 was obtained with 30 days old seedlings, followed by 40 days old seedlings. Higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content and higher uptake were recorded owing to 100% RDF through chemical fertilizer treatment as compared to other treatments under study. The highest net returns of 4,685/ha with a B: C ratio of 1.27 were obtained from the treatment of 100% RDF through chemical fertilizer. The highest net returns, and B: C ratio were obtained when proso millet crop transplanted with 30 days old seedlings along with 100% RDF nutrient followed by 30 days old seedling along with 75% RDF through chemical fertilizer + 25% N through FYM than rest of the treatment combinations.