Performance of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) - pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum) system as influenced by phosphorus and zinc application to fenugreek

A field experiment was conducted in split plot design with three replications during winter and rainy seasons of 2003 to 2005 at Bikaner to study the effect of phosphorus (P) levels (0, 8.7, 17.5 and 26.2 kg/ha) and zinc [0, 2.5, 5.0 & 7.5 kg soil application, 0.25%, 0.5% ZnSO foliar spray once (45 DAS) twice (45 and 60 DAS)] applied to 4 fenugreek, on the performance of fenugreek ( Tr igonella foenum-graecum) - pearlmillet ( Pennisetum glaucum) cropping system. Application of 17.5 kg P/ha and 5.0 kg Zn/ha resulted in 24.7 and 14.7% higher seed yield of fenugreek, when compared with control (0.77 and 0.85 tonnes/ha). Residual effects of 26.2 kg P/ha and 7.5 kg Zn/ ha applied to fenugreek increased grain yield of pearlmillet by 62 and 22%, respectively. Application of 26.2 kg P/ ha and 7.5 kg Zn/ha to fenugreek significantly increased the content and uptake of P and Zn fenugreek and pearl millet. However, increasing levels of either of these two nutrients was found to have depressive effect on content and uptake of other by fenugreek. Combined application of 26.2 kg P/ha + 7.5 kg Zn/ha resulted in the highest yields of both the crops. The net returns and B: C ratios were also highest in 26.2 P and 7.5 kg Zn applied treat- ments.