Energetics of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) cultivation as influenced by integrated nutrient management

Finger millets ((Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) is one of the important small millets cultivated in India under subsistence farming in drylands. Though it is low demanding crop energy involvement is there in profitable raising of finger millet. Increase in energy use in agriculture production at a faster rate in India because of mechanization and enhancing chemical usage. To study the energy use in finger millet cultivation, a field trail was conducted at Bagusala Farm of M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and ten treatments. The treatment comprises of T1: control, T2: FYM @ 4 t ha⁻¹,T3: FYM @ 8 t ha⁻¹, T4: 100% RDF (40:20:20 kg ha⁻¹ of N: P₂O₅: K₂O), T5: 50% RDF + 4 t FYM, T6, 75% RDF + 2 t FYM, T7: FYM 4 t ha⁻¹ + Azospirillum@ 5 kg ha⁻¹, T8: FYM 8 t ha⁻¹ + Azospirillum@ 5 kg ha⁻¹, T9: 50% RDF + 4 t FYM + Azospirillum@ 5 kg ha⁻¹ and T10: 75% RDF + 2 t FYM + Azospirillum@ 5 kg ha⁻¹. The results revealed that all the energy parameters except energy productivity were significantly influenced by different treatments. The highest maximum energy input, gross energy output, net energy and energy intensity in term of economics were recorded maximum with application of 100% RDF and maximum energy use efficiency and energy productivity was noticed with application of FYM 8 t ha⁻¹ + Azospirillum.

Highlights

Application of 100% RDF (40:20:20 kg ha⁻¹ of N: P₂O₅: K₂O) enhanced the finger millet’s energy input, gross energy output, net energy and energy intensity in terms of economic benefits.

Crop fertilized with FYM 8 t ha⁻¹ + Azospirillum recorded maximum energy use efficiency and energy productivity.