Cultivation of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides, S & H) under Organic Farming for Nutritional Grain Production in Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Field study was undertaken during two consecutive years in rainy season of 2005-2006 to 2006-2007 on denuded soils of village Baghauli of district Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh under “National Agricultural Technology Project” funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. The main objective was to utilize organic manure for production of nutritive grains of coarse millet crop of Bajra. The operational area was sandy loam having poor nutritive status. Three treatments i.e., compost 150 qt + mustard cake 100 kg/ha, compost 150 qt + neem cake 100 kg/ha and compost 150 qt + castor cake 100 kg/ha were tested. Bajra cultivar WCC-75 was planted at spacing of 50 cm in rows and 20 cm distance maintained between plants to plant. Application of compost 150 qt + mustard cake 100 kg/ha registered highest grain yield (21.25 q/ha), dry fodder yield (91.00 q/ha) and biomass yield (112.25 q/ha). The lowest grain yield (20.70 q/ha), dry fodder yield (90.00 q/ha) and biological yield (110.70 q/ha) were noted under compost 150 qt + castor cake 100 kg /ha. Compost 150 qt + neem cake 100 kg/ha yielded grains, dry fodder and biological yield between these two limits. Almost similar harvest index (%) was found under all the tested treatments. Therefore, the natural/organic cultivation system of Bajra may be done with the use of compost 150 qt + mustard cake 100 kg/ha