Influence of Sulphur and Zinc on Growth and Yield of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

Abstract

The field experiment was carried out during the Zaid season of 2022 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.) India. To study the response of sulphur and zinc on the growth and yield of Pearl millet. The treatments consist of sulphur @ 20, 30 and 40 kg/ha and zinc @ 5, 10 and15 kg/ha. There were 9 treatments each replicated thrice. The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loamy in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.8), low in organic carbon (0.35%), available N (163.42 kg/ha), available P (21.96 kg/ha) and available K (256.48 kg/ha). Results revealed that the higher plant height (198.06 cm), plant dry weight (75.83 g/plant), crop growth rate (47.70 g/m2 /day), ear head length (25.2 cm), grains/ear head (2006.0), test weight (8.57 gm), higher grain yield (40.95 q/ha) and higher stover yield (40.95 q/ha) were significantly influenced with the application of sulphur 40 kg/ha + zinc 15 kg/ha. Higher gross returns (INR 92145.00/ha), higher net returns (INR 62365.00/ha) and a higher B: C ratio (2.09) were also recorded in treatment-9 (sulphur 40 kg/ha+zinc 15 kg/ha).