Response of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) to Residual Fertility under Rainfed Conditions of Arid Region of Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted to asses the response of rainfed pearl millet to residual fertility in fenugreek- pearl millet cropping system when fenugreek was applied with different levels of phosphorus and zinc. Growth and yield characters namely plant dry matter, total tillers/plant, effective tiller/plant and test weight improved significantly by using residual fertility. During 2004, seed and biological yield and N, P, K and Zn uptake increased up to application of 60 kg P₂O₅/ha whereas during 2005, response for these variables was obtained only up to 40 kg P₂O₅/ha. Residual effect of Zn also enhanced performance of growth and yield characters and effective tillers/plant and length of ear increased up to 7.5 kg zinc/ha whereas, plant dry matter and total tillers/plant increased up to 5.0 kg zinc/ha. Seed and biological yield and harvest index also increased up to residual effect of 7.5 kg zinc/ha. Total uptake of N, P, K and Zn also increased significantly with the residual effect of Zn. However, foliar application of Zn to preceding crop did not have any effect on the succeeding pearl millet. Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) for both the nutrients decreased as the level of application of the nutrients increased.