Effect of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) to Split Application of Nitrogen at Different Stages under Irrigated Conditions

A field experimentation was conducted at carried out during kharif 2022 at research farm, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur. The objectives were to study the effect of nitrogen and split application of nitrogen on growth and productivity of pearl millet. The experiment consisted of 9 treatment combinations comprising three levels of nitrogen (100% RDN (60 kg N/ha), 125% RDN (75 kg N/ha) and 150% RDN (90 kg N/ha) with three levels of split application of nitrogen (Full dose of N at sowing, ½ N at sowing + ½ N at tillering (20-25 DAS) and 1/3 N at sowing + 1/3 N at tillering (20-25 DAS) + 1/3 N at boot stage (35-40 DAS)). The experiment was laid out in split plot design and replicated thrice. The result revealed that levels of nitrogen significantly influenced highest plant height (cm), dry matter accumulation at different stages, chlorophyll content in leaf at 60 DAS, number of effective tillers per plant, length of ear, test weight, grain, stover, biological yields, NPK content and their uptake and protein content with the application of 125% RDN (75 kg N/ha) over 100% RDN (60 kg N/ha). Significantly higher net return (Rs 56315/ha) and highest B:C ratio (2.03) were also obtained with 125% RDN (75 kg N/ha). Further, the split application of nitrogen significantly influenced plant height (cm), dry matter accumulation, chlorophyll content in leaf at 60 DAS, number of effective tillers per plant, length of ear, test weight, grain, stover, biological yields, NPK content and their and protein content with the application of 1/3 N at sowing + 1/3 N at tillering (20-25 DAS) + 1/3 N at boot stage (35-40 DAS) over full dose of N at sowing and ½ N at sowing + ½ N at tillering (20-25 DAS). This treatment also increased significantly net return (Rs 67552/ha) and B:C ratio (2.45) rest of the treatments