Yield and Economic Performance of Finger Millet Genotypes under Varying NPK Fertilizer Doses in Rainfed Conditions

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the influence of graded NPK fertilizer levels on the growth, yield and profitability of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) genotypes under rainfed conditions, and to identify the most productive and economically viable genotype–fertilizer combination. Study Design: Split Plot Design (SPD) with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: Agricultural Research Station, Peddapuram, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Andhra Pradesh, India, during Kharif, 2018. Methodology: The experiment comprised three fertilizer levels [75% RDF (37.5:30:18.75 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O ha⁻¹), 100% RDF (50:40:25 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O ha⁻¹) and 125% RDF (62.5:50:31.25 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O ha⁻¹)] and five finger millet genotypes (PR-10-35, KOPN-942, GPU-45, GPU-67 and PR-202). Observations were recorded on growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield and economic indicators including gross returns, net returns and benefit–cost ratio. Results: Growth, yield attributes and grain yield consistently increased progressively with higher fertilizer levels. Application of 125% RDF produced the highest grain yield (3198.6 kg ha⁻¹). Among genotypes, PR-10-35 recorded the highest grain yield (3260.5 kg ha⁻¹), statistically comparable with PR-202 (3186.4 kg ha⁻¹). The PR-10-35 at 125% RDF combination gave the highest net returns (₹ 50,378 ha⁻¹) and B:C ratio (2.92), demonstrating clear economic superiority. Conclusion: The genotype PR-10-35 combined with 125% RDF proved most productive and profitable under rainfed conditions of the Godavari Zone of Andhra Pradesh. This combination can be recommended to farmers to enhance productivity and economic returns in similar rainfed agro-ecologies.