Enhancing biofortified pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] productivity through bio-regulators and FeSO4 under rainfed conditions
Loading...
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CCSHAU
Abstract
The present investigations entitled “Enhancing biofortified pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] productivity through bio-regulators and ferrous sulphate under rainfed conditions” was conducted at Research Area of Bajra Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during kharif season of 2018 with the objectives to find out the effect of bio-regulators and foliar application of FeSO4 on growth, physiology, yield, quality and economics of biofortified pearl millet hybrids. The experiment consisting of 16 different treatments i.e., four pearl millet hybrids & variety [HHB 299 (Biofortified hybrid), AHB 1200 (Biofortified hybrid), HHB 272 (Hybrid) and one variety Dhanshakti)] and four levels of bio regulators and FeSO4 spray [Control, Thiourea (1000 ppm) at 20-25 and 40-45 days after sowing (DAS), Salicylic (100 ppm) at 20-25 and 40-45 days after sowing (DAS) & FeSO4 @ 0.5 % at 25-30 days after sowing (DAS)] were laid out in split plot design with three replications. Phenological events revealed that the hybrid HHB 299 took more number of days for flag leaf stage (45.9 days), boot stage (47.8 days), 50% flowering (52.3 days), milk stage (65.3 days), dough stage (72.3 days), and physiological maturity (78.3 days) as compared to all other hybrids. The highest grain yield (38.94 q ha-1) was obtained with the hybrid HHB 299 whereas, lowest yield (28.84 q ha-1) in Dhanshakti variety. Hybrid HHB 299 recorded 3.05, 5.75, 10.10 q/ha higher grain yield than AHB 1200, HHB 272 and Dhanshakti, respectively. The stover yield of hybrid HHB 299 was 5.38, 20.87, 12.96 q ha-1 higher over AHB 1200, HHB 272 and Dhanshakti, respectively. The higher values of relative water content at 40 DAS was observed in hybrid AHB 1200 (83.2 %) over HHB 299 (82.5 %), HHB 272 (80.9%) and Dhanshakti (79.1%), respectively. Maximum N content (1.69%), protein content (10.55%), protein yield (411.7 kg/ha) and Fe content (75.6 ppm) were found in HHB 299 followed by AHB 1200 (73.3 ppm). The net returns with the HHB 299 hybrid were Rs.6970, Rs. 15178, Rs. 22157 higher over AHB 1200, HHB 272 and Dhanshakti, whereas, the B:C was higher by 0.17, 0.37 and 0.54, respectively.
Effect of Bio-regulators and FeSO4 studies on pearl millet revealed that there was earliness to 50% flowering, milk stage, dough stage and physiological maturity due to bio-regulators (Salicylic acid & Thiourea) and ferrous sulphate application. CGR, RGR and NAR were found significantly higher during 21-40 DAS, 41-60 DAS and 61-harvest in salicylic acid treatment over control. Chlorophyll content was found significantly highest with the application of thiourea over control but remained statistically at par with FeSO4 and salicylic acid treatment during 35-40 DAS. Salicylic acid spray treatment had higher total tillers plant-1, effective tillers plant-1, ear head length, ear head girth over control but remained statistically at par with thiourea spray treatment at harvest. 1000 grain weight was found maximum in thiourea treatment. Nitrogen, protein and Fe contents were significantly improved with the application of FeSO4 than control but remained statistically at par with the thiourea and salicylic acid. Maximum Iron content was recorded in ferrous sulphate (71.3 ppm) which was significantly superior to control (62.8 ppm). The foliar application of salicylic acid exhibited significantly highest gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio (Rs. 85840 ha-1, Rs. 4427 ha-1 and 2.07) over Thiourea ( Rs. 83671 ha-1 , Rs. 40287 ha-1 and 1.93), Ferrous sulphate (Rs. 77571 ha-1 , Rs. 36314 ha-1 and 1.88) and control ( Rs. 74485 ha-1, Rs. 34938 ha-1 and 1.88).
Description
Keywords
null