Effect of establishment techniques, levels and time of application of nitrogen on growth attribute, yield attribute and yield of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of establishment techniques, levels and time of application of nitrogen on growth, yield and quality of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn). The field experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with 48 treatments and three replications. Total number of 48 treatments consist of four techniques of establishment as main plot (T₁-Recommended transplanting at 20X15 cm, T₂-Random transplanting, T₃-Random broadcasting of 30 days old seedling (Awatni), T₄-Random broadcasting of 20 days old seedling (Awatni)), three nitrogen levels in sub plot (F₁-60 kg N ha^-1, F₂-80 kg N ha^-1, F3-100 kg N ha^-1) and four times of nitrogen application as sub-sub plot (S₀-Basal- (half dose through suphala (15:15:15)), S₁-2 Split- TP, 30 DAT, S₂-3 Split- TP, 30 DAT, 60 DAT, S₃-4 Split- TP, 20 DAT, 40 DAT, 60 DAT). Results revealed that to obtain higher grain and straw yield per ha the finger millet crop should be established by recommended transplanting at 20x15 cm and supplied with 100 kg nitrogen per ha along with three equal splits of nitrogen (at transplanting, 30 and 60 DAT).