Productivity and heavy metal uptake in pearlmillet hybrids under treated sewage water application

To identify sustainable nutrient management strategies for pearl millet under treated sewage water irrigation that enhance productivity vis a vis minimum heavy metal accumulation in pearlmillet crop. A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2021 and 2022 to study the response of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) hybrids to fertility levels under treated sewage water application. In the experiment two pearl millet hybrids, namely, HHB 67 (improved) and HHB 299 were taken along with five different fertility levels viz., control (no-fertilzer), 75% RDN + FYM (5 t ha^-1), 75% RDN + vermicompost (2.5 t ha^-1), 75% RDN + vermicompost (2.5 t ha^-1) + FYM 2.5 (t ha^-1) and 100% RDN. The yield attributing characters and grain yield differed significantly between hybrids and among fertility levels. Between hybrids, HHB 299 recorded higher value of these attributes and yield over HHB 67 (improved). Pearlmillet hybrid HHB 299 produced 49.86 during first year and 48.42 percent higher yield during second year over hybrid HHB 67 (improved). Among fertility levels, application of 75 per cent RDN + vermicompost (2.5 t ha^-1) + FYM (2.5 t ha^-1) resulted in higher yield and yield attributes during both years of study. Heavy metal content in both pearl millet grain and stover recorded lower in HHB 67 (improved) over HHB 299 while integrated nutrient management practices resulted in lower heavy metal content in pearl millet grain and stover over 100% cent RDN and control, among fertility levels.