Evaluation of Pearl millet varieties under rainfed region of Eastern India

Evaluation of Pearl millet for rainfed condition

Abstract

Field experiments were carried out at Dry land research station, KVK Munger during kharif seasons of 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the yield potential and economics of pearl millet varieties under the rainfed condition of sub-humid sub-tropical environment of South Bihar. The sandy-loam soil of the experimental field was low in organic carbon (0.26%), available N (182.5 kg ha^-1), and available P₂ O₅ (19.5 kg ha^-1) and medium in K₂O (168.kg ha^-1) content, having pH 6.8. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design and replicated thrice with nine pearl millet varieties viz. Pusa hybrid 1201, Pusa hybrid 1202, Pusa composit 443, Pusa composit 612, Proagro 9444, Proagro 9444 GOLD, Proagro 9330+, Proagro Tejas and Proagro 9450. The highest plant dry matter accumulation (126.68g plant^-1) at harvest stage was noticed with hybrid 'Proagro 9444' which was atpar to 'Pusa hybrid 1201', 'Pusa hybrid 1202' and 'Proagro 9450'. Significantly higher grain yield (33.87 q ha^-1) was in hybrid 'Proagro 9450' which was comparable to 'Proagro 9444' (32.09 q ha^-1) and 'Pusa hybrid 1201' (30.67 q ha^-1) but superior over other varieties. The significantly more net return (Rs 67815 ha^-1) and B:C ratio(3.41) was with Proagro 9450 but at par to Proagro 9444.(Rs 66188 and 3.33).