Vol. 12, Special Issue 8 (2023)

Author(s):
Gangadhar Mattam, Phool Singh Hindoriya and Abhinandan Singh

Abstract:
A field experiment entitled "Evaluation the effect of pearl millet varieties and nitrogen levels on growth, green fodder yield and economics” was conducted in kharif season 2022 at the School of Agriculture Research Farm, ITM University, in Gwalior. The experiment followed a factorial randomized block design, contains twelve treatment combinations with four nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha^-1) and three fodder pearl millet varieties (Jumbo Plus, Diamond 20⁺ Plus, and Rijka). Each treatment was replicated thrice, the results of the experiment demonstrated that, both nitrogen levels and the varieties shown significant affect on the growth of plant height, yield attributes, quality parameters and economics of the crop at both harvest stages. During first and second harvest stages, when nitrogen levels were increased up to 120 kg ha^-1, there was a considerably significant impact on total green fodder yield (38.02 t ha^-1) as well as on total dry fodder yield (9.38 t ha^-1) over 0, 40, and 80 N kg ha^-1. Moreover, the quality parameters were also influenced significantly by different levels of nitrogen application at both harvest stages. Maximum dry matter content recorded under the application of nitrogen at 120 kg ha^-1 similarly, crude protein content, ash content, ether extract content were observed maximum, when nitrogen was applied at 120 kg ha^-1, surpassing the values obtained from lower nitrogen levels, however highest crude fibre content recorded under 0 N kg ha^-1. In the evaluation of the three varieties at both harvest stages, it was observed that Rijka variety outperformed and excelled in producing the total green (34.87 t ha^-1) and dry fodder yield. (8.25 t ha^-1) as compared to the Jumbo Plus and Diamond 20⁺ plus varieties. Regarding with quality aspect, once again Rijka variety exhibited superior results, by showing a significant outcome in terms of maximum dry matter content, higher crude protein content, ether extract content, ash content, as compared to other two varieties, yet Jumbo Plus variety recorded maximum crude fibre content. From an economic perspective, it was found that the application of the nitrogen at 120 kg ha^-1 in combination with the Rijka variety was contributed in getting the highest gross returns (57,029.76 ₹ ha^-1 and 52,316.12 ₹ ha^-1), maximum net returns (33,654.03 ₹ ha^-1 and 29,727.56 ₹ ha^-1) higher benefit-cost ratio (1.45 and 1.32) and higher returns per rupee invested, (2.45 and 2.33) as well as better economic efficiency (570.30 and 523.16).