Application of Response Surface Methodology for the Optimization of Growth of Pearl Millet

Abstract

A Group of mathematical and statistical designs collectively known as Response Surface Methodology (RSM) are increasingly being used to optimize a product or process. The present study attempts to evaluate the efficacy of the mathematical model Central Composite Design (CCD) and RSM in optimizing parameters for enhancing plant growth of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum). The interactions between different levels of Nitrogen (0,6,12,24,36,48 kg/acre) and Azotobacter (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 mg of the recommended dose per gram seed) was theoretically optimized and later experimentally verified in the field during Kharif season of 2009-2011. Results revealed that all treatments enhanced plant growth by increasing root length, root weight, shoot length and shoot weight over control. Best growth of Pearl millet was obtained when optimum combination of 17.75 kgs/acre Nitrogen (75% of the recommended dose of fertilizer) and 6.82 mg of Azotobacter was used. This combination enhanced growth by 3 to 6 fold compared to control. The predicted optimum values of root and shoot length were 17.69 cm and 163.76 cm fairly agree with the experimental optimum values of 18.2 cm and 164.8 cm respectively. Our study proved that RSM could be used effectively to optimize growth of Pennisetum and the CCD is efficient, simple, economical, time saving and can be adopted for optimizing crop yields.