2018•Journal of Pharmacognosy and PhytochemistryOpen access
Influence of irrigation, fertility and hydrogel levels on yield and yield attributes of summer pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) in Gujarat
AK Saini, AM Patel, LH Saini, K. R. Patel, G.S. Patel
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Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during the summer seasons of 2015 and 2016 on loamy sand soils of Agronomy Instructional Farm, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat to assess the impact of irrigation, fertility and hydrogel levels on growth attributes and yield of summer pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with 3 replications, consisted of 3 irrigation levels [0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 irrigation water : cumulative pan evaporation ratio (IW: CPE)], 2 fertility levels (120 : 60 : 00 and 150 : 75 : 00 kg N : P2O5 : K2O/ha) in main plots and 3 hydrogel levels (0.0, 2.5 and 5.0 kg/ha) in sub-plots. The pooled results indicated that irrigation at 1.2 IW/CPE being at par with 1.0 IW/CPE enhanced growth parameters viz., plant height, number of effective and non effective tillers, dry matter production, CGR and RGR and yield of pearl millet. Application of 150 : 75 : 00 kg N : P2O5 : K2O/ha (125% RDF) significantly improved growth parameters, seed yield, stover yield and harvest index over 100 % RDF (120 : 60 : 00 kg N : P2O5 : K2O/ha). Higher grain yield was a reflection of higher plant height, effective tillers/m, total dry-matter production, grain yield, stover yield and harvest index of pearl millet under application of 5.0 kg hydrogel/ha. Therefore, irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE, fertilizer dose of 150 : 75 : 00 kg N : P2O5 : K2O/ha and hydrogel @ 5.0 kg/ha could be applied for higher growth attributes and yields of pearl millet for appreciable saving of water and fertilizers in summer season.