Influence of Nitrogen and Zinc on Yield Components and Economics of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica)

Abstract

Background: Foxtail millet crop has interesting characteristic features i.e., fairly tolerant to drought, and can escape terminal drought because of early maturity. Foxtail millet is comparable to that of super cereals like rice and wheat due to its capacity to withstand drought, adaptable to adverse climatic condition and input management. Objectives:  Effect of nitrogen and zinc on yield attributes and economics of foxtail millet. Methods: With the goal of studying the effect of nitrogen and zinc on yield and economics of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) One variety of Foxtail millet i.e., DHFt 109-3 was used with different doses of Nitrogen at 40, 50, 60 kg/ha and Zinc at 10, 15, 20 kg/ha was used. There were 9 treatments each replicated thrice. The result showed that the yield parameters viz, length of Ear (21.19 cm), seed yield (2.11 t/ha), test weight (3.36 g) straw yield (5.48 t/ha), gross return (73,850.00 INR/ha), net return (51,508.00 INR/ha), B:C ratio (2.30) were recorded superior with application of nitrogen at 60 kg/ha along with zinc 20 kg/ha. Conclusion: Maximum Gross returns (73,850.00 INR/ha), Net return (51,508.00 INR/ha), B:C ratio (2.30) was obtained with application of 60 N kg/ha + 20 kg Zn/ha.