Indian Journal of Agricultural Research

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Research Article

Indian Journal of Agricultural Research, volume 54 issue 2 (april 2020) : 227-231

Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Levels on Growth and Yield of Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.)] During Summer

K. Vamshi Krishna1,*, C.H. Deepthi1, M. Devender Reddy1, P.S. Raju1, Arunabha Pal1
1Department of Agronomy, M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Parlakhemundi, Gajapati, Sitapur-761 211, Odisha, India.
Cite article:- Krishna Vamshi K., Deepthi C.H., Reddy Devender M., Raju P.S., Pal Arunabha (2019). Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Levels on Growth and Yield of Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.)] During Summer . Indian Journal of Agricultural Research. 54(2): 227-231. doi: 10.18805/IJARe.A-5317.

ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of nitrogen and phosphorous on growth and yield of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) at Centurion University, Paralakhemundi during summer (February-May), 2018. The combination of four nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1) and three levels of phosphorus (0, 20 and 40 kg ha-1) were tested in Split plot design with three replications. There was a significant improvement in plant height and yield attributes with the application of 90 kg N ha-1 as compared to lower levels of N application. With increase in levels of Phosphorus from 20 and 40 kg ha-1 has significantly increased yield. Significantly higher grain (1054kg ha-1) and straw yield (4369kg ha-1) were recorded with the application of 90kg N ha-1 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 while, the minimum yield was observed with 0 kg N ha-1 and 0 kg P2O5 ha-1.

INTRODUCTION

Finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.)] is an important small millet crop grown in India and has the pride of place in having highest productivity among millets. It is also known as ragi, African millet and Bird’s foot millet and an important staple food crop in part of eastern and central Africa and India.

India finger millet is grown in an area of about 1.27 million ha with a production of 1.89 million t and an average productivity of 1489 kg ha-1. The improved varieties under good management can produce up to 4 t of grain per hectare. In Asia, the major finger-millet-producing country is India (2 613 000 t), followed by Nepal (122 000 t), China (79 000 t) and Afghanistan (38 000 t). In Odisha, it covers an area of 1.66 lakh ha with a production of 1.61 lakh t (Agriculture Statistics 2017). In India, finger millet is mostly grown and consumed in Karnataka and to a limited extent in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Goa. It is a tropical crop grown from sea level to 3000 m above sea level (Encyclopedia of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 2016).
       
Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are the essential elements required for plant growth in relatively large amounts (Dhhwayo and whhgwin, 1984). Nitrogen fertilizer is one of the most yield limiting nutrients for crop production and it is applied in large quantity for most annual crops (Huber and Thompson, 2007). It plays an important role in building units of proteins in the plant system. Thus, N nutrition not only influences productivity but also quality. In finger millet, nitrogen application has been found to increase the growth, dry matter production and yield under dry/rainfed conditions (Hari Prasanna, 2016). The studies on N fertilization indicate that higher grain yield was obtained with application of N ranging from 0 to 90 kg ha-1 (Bekele et al., 2016, Nigade et al., 2011).
       
Beside N, phosphorous also plays a vital role in increasing the yield. It is an important nutrient in energy transfer for the living cells by means of high-energy phosphate bonds of ATP. Phosphorous deficit is the most important restrictive factor in plant growth because it promotes root development that in turn enhances uptake of other essential elements (CGIAR, 2005). It was reported that application of P2O5 at 60 kg (Sandya Rani et al., 2017), 45 kg (Arulmozhiselvan et al., 2013) resulted in higher grain yield as compared to lower levels of P application.
       
The farmers of this Southern Odisha region, usually grow rice during kharif season and in some areas grow green gram as relay crop after rice harvest and majority of area remain fallow. The finger millet crop is cultivated in the region during kharif season in small area. At certain locations, the water is available during summer to a lesser extent which is sufficient for fewer irrigations. This experiment was carried out to find out the productivity of finger millet at different levels of N and P2O5 grown during summer under irrigated conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The field experiment was carried out during the summer of 2018 (Feb- May) at Bagusala Research Farm, M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha on sandy loam soil, having a pH- 6.5 and 226 kg ha-1 available nitrogen and 324 kg ha-1 available phosphorous and 591 kg ha-1 available potassium and medium in organic carbon content (0.50) %. The experiment was conducted in a split plot design. The main and sub plot treatments consisted of nitrogen and phosphorous levels respectively. The treatments were four N levels- 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha-1 and three P2O5 levels - 0, 20 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1. 25 days old seedlings of finger millet variety “Champavati” was transplanted on 24th February 2018 at a spacing of 20 cm X 10 cm. Entire dose of P2O5 and K2O applied as basal. On the other hand, 50% N was applied at sowing and remaining 50% N was applied at 25 days after transplanting. The basal dose of fertilizer was applied in the furrow and then seedlings were transplanted. Five irrigations were given during entire crop growth period. Rainfall received during the crop growth period was 12.73 cm. To control weeds, Pendimethalin @ 3ml/litre of water was sprayed on 4th day after transplanting. Observations on growth, yield and yield attributes were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis. Harvesting was done on 31st May 2018. The results were briefly discussed in the following paragraphs.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Growth
 
Plant height increased significantly with increase in nitrogen levels from 0 to 30 and 60 kg N ha-1. The plant height at 90 kg N ha-1 was comparable with that of 60 kg N ha-1 and significantly superior over 30 kg N ha-1. The plant height and number of leaves differed significantly due to N levels but it was not significant due to P2O5 levels (Table 1). The number of tillers, number of leaves and dry matter production at vegetative stage did not differ significantly due to nitrogen and phosphorous level application.
 

Table 1: Effect of nitrogen and phosphorous levels on growth of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) during summer (February-May), 2018.


       
The dry matter at vegetative stage did not differ significantly influenced due to P2O5 levels. The dry matter at harvest was significantly higher with application of 90 kg N ha-1 (4810 kg ha-1) over that of 60 kg N ha-1 (4017 kg ha-1). Dry matter production in later two levels were comparable with each other and significantly superior over 0 N ha-1. The dry matter at harvest increased with increase in P2O5 level from 0 to 20 and 40 kg ha-1. It has been reported that with increase in nitrogen application, the availability of nutrients will be higher in soil and there by uptake of nutrients and it is higher at higher levels N (Gupta et al., 2012).

 

Yield attributes

The number of fingers per ear head-2, length of the finger, grain weight per earhead and 1000 grain weight differed significantly due to nitrogen levels, however, it was not significant due to phosphorus levels and interaction of nitrogen and phosphorus levels (Table 2). The number of fingers per ear head-2 and finger length were significantly higher with application of 90 kg N ha-1 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 as compared to 0, 30 and 60 kg N and 0, 20 kg P2O5 ha-1. The grain weight/ earhead increased significantly with increase in nitrogen levels whereas, it was found on parity with 30 and 60 kg N ha-1. The 1000 grain weight was significantly higher with application of 90 kg N ha-1 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 as compared to other levels of nitrogen and phosphorus application.

 

Table 2: Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus levels on yield attributes and yield of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) during summer (February-May), 2018.


       
The significant improvement in yield attributes was observed with application of 90 kg N ha-1 over that of lower levels ultimately helped in increase 40 kg N ha-1 in yield at 90 kg N ha-1. Increased uptake of N with increased levels of N application has been reported by (Sudhakar rao et al., 1991), Dubey and Shrivas, (1999). There are reports that, P uptake increased with progressive increase in supply of N and P2O5 to crops because of more availability of these nutrients and their by higher biomass production (Arulmozhi et al., 2013) and yield attributes.
 
Yield
 
The grain (1054 kg ha-1) and straw yield (4369 kg ha-1) was significantly higher with application of 90 kg N ha-1 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 over that of 0, 30 and 60 kg N ha-1. The grain yield and straw yield observed with 30 (820 kg ha-1 and 3387 kg ha-1) and 60 kg N ha-1 (928 kg ha-1 and 3273 kg ha-1) were similar with each other and significantly higher than that of 0 kg N ha-1 (604 kg ha-1 and 2180 kg ha-1) (Table 3). The straw yield in latter two levels was comparable with each other and significantly superior over that of no nitrogen application.
 

Table 3: Grain yield (kg ha-1) as affected by interaction of nitrogen and phosphorus levels in finger millet during summer season.


       
The grain (1020 kg ha-1) and straw yield (3387 kg ha-1) recorded with 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 was significantly higher than 0 kg and 20 kg P2O5 ha-1. The grain yield observed in later two levels was comparable with each other. The increased uptake at higher levels of N application helps in improvement in production of photosynthates due to sufficient assimilation of nutrients which in turn results in vigorous plant growth and synthesizes carbohydrates and translocate them to the developing ear heads. This makes in better filling and more grain weight at increased levels of N application leading to increased yield attributes and grain yield (Chakraborty et al., 2002). Varied responses in straw yield due to varied levels of nutrients have also been reported by Pilane, 1997 (50 kg N + 25 kg P2O5), Singh, (1999) (75% of 50-40-25 kg N,P,K ha-1). Increased P uptake by the crops with N and P application might be attributed to their effect on the formation of active and prolific roots, resulting in increased foraging capacity of the plants.
 
Economics
 
The cost of cultivation increased gradually with increment of nitrogen and phosphorus levels. Application of 90 kg N + 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded maximum cost of cultivation (Rs. 21222 ha-1). This was followed by 60 kg N + 20 kg P2O5 ha-1 (Rs. 21012 ha-1) (Table 4). The minimum cost of cultivation was recorded with 0 kg N and 0 kg P2O5 ha-1 (Rs. 20288 ha-1). Highest gross, net returns and B: C ratio were recorded with application of 90 kg N and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 (Rs. 36620 ha-1, Rs.15398 ha-1 and 1.73). This was due to high grain and straw yield of finger millet as compared to other treatments whereas, minimum gross and net returns were recorded with 0 kg N and 0 kg P2O5 ha-1.
 

Table 4: Economics of finger millet effected by different nitrogen and phosphorous levels during summer (February – May), 2018.



Table 5: Correlation between grain yield vs growth and yield attributes of finger millet grown during summer at different levels of nitrogen and phosphorous.

CONCLUSION

From the present investigation, it can be concluded that summer finger millet can be grown in Southern zone of Odisha with application of 90 and 40 kg N: P2O5 ha-1 as it has resulted in maximum seed and stalk yield under irrigated conditions.

REFERENCES


  1. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance. (2017). Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.

  2. Arulmozhiselvan, K.M. Elayarajan and Sathya, S. (2013). Effect of long term fertilization and manuring on soil fertility, yield and uptake by finger millet on inceptisol. Madras Agriculture Journal. 100 (4-6): 490-494.

  3. Bekele Anbessa., Getahun Dereje and Dereje Alemu. (2016). Determination of optimum rates of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization for finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) production at Assosa Zone, in Benishangul-Gumuz region of Ethiopia. Advances in Sciences and Humanitie: 2472-0941.

  4. CGIAR Annual progress report. CGIAR Research program on dryland cereals. Performance monitoring report for calendar year. (2005). Available online: http://www.cgiar.org/resources/crp-documents/ .

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  8. Encyclopedia of Food sciences and Nutrition. (2016).

  9. Gupta N, Gupta, A.K, Gaur, V.S and Kumar, A. (2012). Relationship of nitrogen use efficiency with the activities of enzymes involved in nitrogen uptake and assimilation of finger millet genotypes grown under different nitrogen inputs. Scientific world journal. 1-10.

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  12. Nigade, R.D., Jadhav, B.S. and Bhosale, A.S. (2011). Response of long duration finger millet (EleusinecoracanaL.) variety to different levels of nitrogen under rainfed condition.Intern. J. agric. Sci. 7(1): 152-155.

  13. Pilane, M.S., Salve, R.B., Pawar, V.S., Bhoi, P.G. (1997). Response of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) varieties to nitrogen and phosphorus. Indian Journal of Agronomy. 42(4): 637-640.

  14. Roy, D.K., Chakraborty, T., Sounda, G and Maitra, S. (2001). Effect of fertility levels and plant population on yield and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in finger millet (Eleusine coracana) in lateritic soil of West Bengal. Indian Journal of Agronomy. 46 (4): 707 – 711.

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  16. Singh, V.P. (1999). Effect of organic and inorganic source of nutrients on finger millet (Eleusine coracana) under rainfed low hill situation. Indian Journal of Agronomy. 44(4): 567- 570.

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