Effect of Bio-fertilizers and Zinc Levels on Growth and Yield of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

The field experiment was carried out during rabi season 2022 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.) India. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with ten treatments replicated thrice. The treatment combinations are T1:Azotobacter 25g + Zinc 0.1% (30 DAS and 50 DAS) T2:Azotobacter 25g + Zinc 0.3% (30 DAS and 50 DAS) T3: Azotobacter 25g + Zinc 0.5% (30 DAS and 50 DAS) T4:Azospirillum 25g + Zinc 0.1% (30 DAS and 50 DAS) T5:Azospirillum 25g + Zinc 0.3% (30 DAS and 50 DAS) T6:Azospirillum 25g + Zinc 0.5% (30 DAS and 50 DAS) T7:Azotobacter + Azospirillum 25g +Zinc 0.1% (30 DAS and 50DAS). T8:Azotobacter + Azospirillum 25g +Zinc 0.3% (30 DAS and 50 DAS) T9:Azotobacter+ Azospirillum 25g +Zinc 0.5% (30 DAS and 50 DAS), T10: Control (RDF-80-40-40 NPK kg/ha) are used. Results obtained that the higher plant height (205.06 cm), higher plant dry weight (78.17 g/plant), higher crop growth rate (37.6 g/m2 /day), higher ear head length (24.74 cm), higher grains/ear head (2212.69), higher test weight (10.29 gm), higher grain yield (34.16 q/ha) and higher stover yield (69.00 q/ha) were significantly influenced with application of Azotobacter+ Azospirillum 25g +Zinc 0.5% (30 DAS and 50 DAS). Higher gross returns (INR 96553.67/ha), higher net returns (INR 67523.67/ha) and higher B:C ratio (2.03) were also recorded in treatment-9 (Azotobacter+ Azospirillum 25g +Zinc 0.5% (30 DAS and 50 DAS).