Effect of different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and productivity of Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.)

Abstract

A field experiment entitled “Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Growth and Productivity of Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.)” was conducted during Kharif season of 2024 at the School of Agricultural Sciences, Dabok, Udaipur, Rajasthan. The experiment was conducted on clay loam soil, which was low in available N, medium in P2O5 and high in K2O. The experiment was consisted of twelve treatment combinations. Nitrogen levels (control, 20, 40 and 60 kg N ha-1) and Phosphorus levels (control, 20 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) and these were replicated three times in Factorial Randomized Block Design. The results revealed that application of nitrogen and phosphorus significantly influenced growth parameters such as plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of tillers and leaf area. Yield attributes including number of effective tillers, panicle length, grain weight per panicle, and test weight were also significantly improved with increasing nutrient levels. The highest grain (1931 kg ha-1), straw (2745 kg ha-1), biological yield (4677 kg ha-1) and net return (₹71647 ha⁻¹) were obtained with 60 kg N ha⁻¹, while 40 kg Pha⁻¹ recorded the highest grain yield (1897 kg ha⁻¹) and net return (₹69015 ha⁻¹). Economic analysis indicated a progressive increase in benefit-cost ratio with higher nitrogen and phosphorus doses.