Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges & Opportunities
during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
T4-40P-1455
Response of Little Millet (Panicum Sumatrense) to Different Spacing and
Fertilizer Levels
S. J. R. Syed* and B.V. Asewar
Department of Agronomy, VNMKV Parbhani, Maharashtra, India
*shireenjahan1998@gmail.com
Among minor millets little millet (Panicum sumatrenseL.) is popular millet and is called as
Indian millet. It is resistant to adverse agro-climatic conditions such as severe drought as well as
water logging. The low productivity is on account of inadequate and imbalanced use of
fertilizers, non-adoption of suitable varieties and suitable dose of nitrogen as well as weedcontrol
measures by the farmers. Crop geometry is an important factor for better utilization of
moisture and nutrients from the soil (root spread) and above ground growth (plant canopy) by
harvesting maximum possible solar radiation. The optimum plant population exploit
environmental resources to the fullest extent and thereby leading to higher yield of crop. Nutrient
supply in soil is one of the most important factor that determine the growth of the crop. Fertilizer
is the major source of plant nutrients required in sufficient quantity to maintain the nutrient
supply in the soil. The response of crop to fertilizers depends on the native fertility level of soil,
environmental condition and genotype.
Methodology
The field experiment was conducted at PG Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of
Agriculture, VNMKV, Parbhani during kharif 2021-22. The experiment was laid out in split plot
design with three replications consisting of twelve treatment combination in each. The treatment
consists of three spacings (22.5cm × 10cm, 30cm × 10cm and 45cm × 5cm) and four fertilizer
levels (30:15:15 NPK kg ha -1 , 40:20:20 NPK kg ha -1 , 50:25:25 NPK kg ha -1 and 60:30:30 NPK
kg ha -1 ). The experimental plot was clay in texture with low in available nitrogen (194.60 kg ha -
1 ), medium in available phosphorus (12.73 kg ha -1 ) and high in available potassium (513.84 kg
ha -1 ) and slightly alkaline in reaction pH (7.8). The size of a gross and net plot of each plot was
5.4m × 4.5m and 4.2m × 4.0m, respectively.
Results
Spacingssignificantly influenced the grain and straw yield. Significantly superior grain and straw
yield (934 kg ha -1 ) was obtained when crop was sown at 45 cm × 5 cm and was on par with 22.5
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