Soil test based integrated plant nutrition system for pearl millet on an Inceptisol

Soil Test Crop Response correlation studies under Integrated Plant Nutrition System (STCR-IPNS) based on targeted yield concept were conducted on an Inceptisol for pearl millet at Western Zone of Tamil Nadu during 2015–16. The requirement of N, P2O5 and K2O for pearl millet (NR) was found to be 2.87, 1.27 and 2.59 kg/q, respectively. The per cent nutrient contribution from soil (Cs) was 23.48, 32.76 and 11.10; from fertilizers (Cf) was 47.45, 45.59 and 78.52, and from organic manure (Co) was 38.03, 19.28 and 37.58 for N, P2O5 and K2O, respectively. Using the basic data viz., NR, Cs, Cf and Co, fertilizer prescription equations (FPEs) have been developed and ready reckoner of fertilizer doses was formulated for desired yield targets of pearl millet for a range of soil test values on Inceptisol. The findings also brought forth the fact that when farm yard manure (FYM) was applied @12.5 t/ha (with 24% moisture and 0.53, 0.26 and 0.50% NPK, respectively), 40, 24 and 28 kg/ha of fertilizer N, P2O5 and K2O could be reduced from the recommended fertilizer doses for pearl millet.