Growth and Yield Response of Rabi Pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum) to Irrigation, Nitrogen and Phosphorous

Abstract A field experiment was conducted on clayey soil during rabi season of 2010-11 at Junagadh to evaluate the response of pearlmillet to irrigation schedules and levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in terms of growth and yield. The treatments comprised irrigation schedules (0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 IW/CPE), levels of nitrogen (100, 120 and 140 kg N/ha) and phosphorus (40 and 60 kg P 2 O 5 /ha). The results revealed that irrigation scheduled at 0.9 and 0.7 IW/CPE improved growth and yield attributes and ultimately recorded higher grain and stover yields over 0.3 and 0.5 IW/CPE. Application of 140 and 120 kg N/ha recorded higher growth and yield attributing characters as well as grain and straw yield as compared to 100 kg N/ha. However, P levels could not significantly influence the growth and yield of pearlmillet. Keywords: Rabi, pearlmillet, irrigation schedule