Response of alley-cropped pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) to nitrogen and zinc schedules under semi-arid regions

Abstract

Realizing the importance of tree-based cropping system and scheduling of nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) in the semi-arid region, an on-field trial was conducted with pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] during the rainy season of 2017 at RGS Campus of Banaras Hindu University, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. The trial was laid out in factorial randomized block design with 4 N and 4 Zn treatment applications in different schedules. The results revealed that, N scheduled at ¼ [basal] + ½ (3rd visible leaf (VL) + ¼ panicle extended in flag-leaf sheath (PEFLS) produced the most synergetic effect on growth and yield of pearl millet. The grain yield increased up to 65% compared to no N application. Conversely, Zn schedules did not significantly influence the growth parameters (except dry-matter), while Zn application at 2.5 kg/ha (basal) + 0.25% panicle initiation (PI) + 0.25% PEFLS recorded about 37% more grain yield, than no Zn application. Additionally, the maximum biological and straw yields recorded with 2.5 kg/ha (basal) + 0.25% panicle emergence (PE) + 0.25% milk stage (MS) Zn application compared to the other treatments. Moreover, N and Zn interacted significantly to produce synergetic effect on the dry-matter, test weight, grain, straw, and biological yields. The maximum grain yield was observed with conjunctive application of N at ¼ [basal] + ½ [3rd VL] + ¼ [PEFLS] and Zn at 2.5 kg/ha [basal] + 0.25% [PI] + 0.25% [PEFLS], whereas the maximum biological and straw yields were recorded with application of the N at ¼ [basal] + ½ [3rd VL] + ¼ [PEFLS] and Zn at 2.5 kg/ha [basal] + 0.25% [PE] + 0.25% [MS].