Effect of organic fertilizers and biofertilizers on yield and yield attributing traits of direct sown rainfed finger millet, Eleusine coracana (L) Gaertn

Finger millet was grown under three year old Melia azedarach in red sandy loam soil with different management options viz T₁ [Control, farmyard manure (FYM) @ 10 tonnes/ha], T₂ [100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF)], T₃(75% N + 25% N FYM), T₄[75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + 25% N vermicompost], T₅(75% RDN + 25% N poultry manure), T₆ (75% RDN + Azospirillum), T₇ [75% RDN + phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB)], T₈ (75% RDN + Azospirillum + PSB), T₉ (Sole crop without trees). The growth attributes viz plant height, dry matter production and number of tillers/m² were significantly influenced by the application of T₅ (75% RDN + 25% N poultry manure) and was on par with application of recommended dose of NPK fertilizers. Significant increase in yield components viz number of fingers per ear head, finger length and 1000-grain weight was noticed in T₅. The highest grain (2681 kg/ha) and strawyield (5063 kg/ha) resulted with sole crop on par with T₅(2405 and 4733 kg/ha respectively) and T₂ (2393 and 4745 kg/ha respectively). The lowest grain (1583 kg/ha) and straw yield (3402 kg/ha) was found in T₁ (control) ie farmers’ practice. From the present investigations it can be inferred that among nutrient management practices tested 75 per cent RDN + 25 per cent N poultry manure and 100 per cent RDF in agri-silvi culture system were better for realizing higher grain yield, straw yield and economic returns apart from sustaining better soil nutrient status on sandy loam soils of southern Telangana region.