A field experiment was conducted during kharif2014 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, VCFarm, Mandya to study the effect of varieties, cutting and nitrogen management on yield, nutrient uptake, available soil nutrient status and economics of dual purpose pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.). The soil of the experimental site was red sandy loam with medium available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium level. Experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with factorial concept replicated thrice. There were 12 treatment combinations involving 3 varieties (BAIF Bajra-1, AVKB-19 and GFB-1), two cutting management practices (Single cut at 45 DAS for green fodder and later for grain purpose and two cuts for green fodder at 45 DAS and at 40 days after first cut and later for grain purpose) and two nitrogen levels (100 and 150 kg ha-1). The results revealed that, BAIF Bajra-1 recorded significantly higher green fodder (365.21 q ha-1), dry matter yield (92.47 q ha-1), higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake (174.26, 17.85, 142.75 kg ha-1) and lower available soil nutrient status (NPK) after harvest (167.57, 22.75, 114.21 kg ha-1). Two cuts for green fodder recorded significantly higher green fodder (334.31 q ha-1), dry matter yield (76.33 q ha-1), but single cut for green fodder later for grain purpose has recorded significantly higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake (138.83, 14.45, 117.32 kg ha-1) and lower available soil nutrient status after harvest (163.81, 21.85, 112.17 kg ha-1) respectively. Nitrogen at 150 kg ha-1 given significantly higher green fodder (316.91 q ha-1), dry matter yield (74.95 q ha-1)and higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake (146.33, 15.51, 126.54 kg ha-1) and higher available soil nutrient status after harvest of the crop (170.55, 23.09, 116.15 kg ha-1). Higher gross returns (₹60102 ha-1), net returns (₹ 42928 ha-1) and B: C ratio (3.49) were recorded in BAIF Bajra-1 with single cut for green fodder followed by harvest for grain purpose along with application nitrogen 150 kg ha-1.

Download this article as