Optimizing planting geometry and nutrient management for enhanced growth and yield of teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) trotter) in eastern dry zone of Karnataka

Teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotte r is an introduced minor millet therefore, among p rime areas of research is developing standard agro-techniques for higher productivity. Field experiment was conducted on optimizing planting geometry and nutrient management for enhanced growth and yield of teff during kharif-2021 at UAS, GKVK, Bangaluru in factorial randomized block design with ten treatment combinations consisting two planting geometry (30 cm × 10 cm and 45 cm × 10 cm) and five nutrient management (50 75, 100 and 125 % recommended dose of fertilizers, RDF and absolute control). As per UAS, Bengaluru package of practices, RDF is 20 N: 20 P₂O₅: 20 K₂O and FYM @ 6 t ha^-1. Growth and yield parameters significantly varied with the treatments. Maintaining 30 cm × 10 cm spacing recorded significantly higher plant height (4.79 cm, 93.57 cm at 60 DAP and at harvest respectively), lodging (56.39%), grain yield (2.37 q ha^-1) and straw yield (3.65 q ha^-1). Application of 125 % RDF resulted in significantly higher plant height (80.05 and 99.33 cm) and number of tillers (16.45 and 23.07 per plant^-1) at 60 DAP and harvest respectively. However, significantly higher grain yield (2.73 q ha^-1) was at 100 % recommended dose of fertilizers.